Chelsea investigation details confirmed as Enzo Fernandez releases 57-word apology

Chelsea have launched an investigation into a video shared by midfielder Enzo Fernandez which is the subject of a racism complaint from the French Football Federation (FFF).

The 23-year-old, who joined The Blues for a British record £106.8 million in January 2023, posted an Instagram live video following Argentina's Copa America victory on Monday. In the clip, Fernandez and teammates appear to chant a derogatory song about the French team as they celebrated.

The FFF has said that it will file a complaint after the video emerged online with Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana also sharing the video on social media with the caption 'Football in 2024: uninhibited racism’.

The chant in question contains both racist and transphobic ideas. The Mirror translates the song as: "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."

On Wednesday morning, Chelsea confirmed that a 'disciplinary procedure' was underway. A statement read: "Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.

"We acknowledge and appreciate our player's public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate. The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure."

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That statement came in the hours after Fernandez uploaded an apology himself online last night. In a short message, the player said: "The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.

"That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."

Fernandez made 40 appearances in all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino for Chelsea last season. He was a regular in the Premier League before missing the last chunk of the campaign with a groin injury.