Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has mentioned Argentina teammate Enzo Fernández is dealing with undeserved backlash for the video that exhibits the Chelsea midfielder singing a discriminatory chant.
Fernández apologised this week after he posted a video on Instagram following his crew’s 1-0 win over Colombia within the Copa América last that confirmed him and different Argentina gamers singing an offensive track that singled out France gamers of African heritage.
Chelsea and FIFA have opened an investigation into the incident after the French Football Federation (FFF) introduced it might file a authorized criticism over “racist and discriminatory remarks” made by Fernández and his Argentina teammates.
Mac Allister, who doesn’t seem on the video, informed Argentinian radio station Urbana play: “Enzo has already apologised, and he explained what happened. There’s nothing more to add.
“We know Enzo, we all know he would by no means do it with unhealthy intention. It’s extra of a chant that caught and it is extra in a mocking tone than the rest. The most necessary factor is that Enzo apologised and we have now to provide worth to that.”
The same chants — by some Argentina fans — emerged before France and Argentina met in the 2022 World Cup final, which Argentina won.
Fernández’s club teammates Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku of France have both expressed their discontent.
Argentina international Rodrigo de Paul feels Fernández is being unfairly targeted.
“It occurs that one does not analyse pitch songs,” the Atletico Madrid midfielder said.
“I can perceive those that have suffered racism and all of that, do not prefer it. But there are methods. If Enzo’s [club] teammates felt offended, the best way to do it’s to name him to not put in on social media. I feel there’s a little bit of malice or to place Enzo in a spot that he completely should not be in.”
Argentina’s government on Thursday removed the country’s undersecretary of sport Julio Garro from his post for calling for captain Lionel Messi and the Football Federation (AFA) president Claudio Tapia to apologise for the video.
Mac Allister said his country is not racist.
“The actuality is that right here we’re not a racist nation,” he said. “We usually are not accustomed to speak about racism. It’s an necessary subject.
“You have to be careful with what one does and one says, especially in Europe because it’s more sensitive there.”
