Enzo Fernandez’s social media video of Argentina chanting a racist song has landed him in hot water but the Chelsea star has been backed by leading figures in his country

Enzo Fernandez has been backed in his homeland as Argentina face huge backlash after a racist chant was sang on their team bus after Sunday’s Copa America victory.

The South American side continued their dominance on the international scene as they claimed a third major trophy in succession. However their celebrations turned sour when Fernandez went live on Instagram as the squad sang a chant mocking the French and their population.

Argentina saw off Les Bleus in the final of the World Cup in Qatar but have since taken aim at the country with racist remarks that have seen Fernandez apologise. The Chelsea star has come in for criticism from his club team-mates, but retains support from politicial figures back in his homeland.

Argentine president Javier Milei has retweeted a post saying that the “the song only speaks the truth” and calls for his sub secretary of sports Julio Garro to be fired after it was claimed he asked Lionel Messi to apologise – which Garro denies. The country’s vice-President Victoria Villarruel has gone even further and claimed the chant “tells truth they won’t admit.”

She said: “No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a football song or for telling the truths that they do not want to admit. Stop feigning indignation, hypocrites. Enzo, I’m with you.”

Messi furthered his legacy with another major honour and it is understood he wasn’t present on the bus as the country’s skipper stayed behind in Miami to receive treatment on the ankle injury he suffered during the win against Colombia.

Garro has rejected claims that he called on the legendary figure to apologise for the team’s racist antics. He said on social media: “I categorically deny that I have asked Messi to apologize. It would be a lack of respect for those who permanently honor us with their human and sporting quality.”

Lionel Messi has been urged to apologise for his country ( 
Image:
Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)

Fernandez is currently being subjected to a disciplinary process at Stamford Bridge as he prepares to return for club duties. There he will face a host of players whom the chant directly insults including Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku.

The full lyrics to the chant are: “Listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all from Angola, they are going to run well, they like to sleep with trans people, their mum is Nigerian, their dad is Cameroonian, but on the passport it says: French.”