PARIS, France (AFP) — The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday that it has filed a complaint with FIFA and intends to pursue legal action following racist chants made by Argentina players from the Copa America-winning team.
FFF president Philippe Diallo issued a statement firmly condemning the “unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against members of the French team.” The controversial chant was captured in a live video shared on social media by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the team bus after their Copa America victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday.
In the video, some players, including Fernandez, are heard singing a chant originating from Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final win over France. The song specifically targets France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe and includes homophobic insults.
“Given the severity of these shocking comments, which contradict sporting and human rights values, the FFF President has decided to directly challenge the Argentine president and FIFA and to file a legal complaint against them for the racist and insulting comments,” the FFF statement read.
Chelsea defender and Fernandez’s teammate, Wesley Fofana, criticized the video on social media. “Football 2024: racism without complexes,” the France international posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
France’s Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castella also urged the International Football Association (FIFA) to take action, labeling the incident as “pathetic and all the more unacceptable because it is repeated.” She questioned FIFA’s response in a post on X.
The rivalry between Argentina and France has been intense since Argentina’s early exit at the hands of France during the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup. The FFF had previously filed a complaint two years ago regarding racist comments on social media.
