French Soccer Federation Files Complaint with FIFA over Racist and Discriminatory Remarks

The French soccer federation has pledged to file a complaint with FIFA over "racist and discriminatory remarks" made by Argentina players in post-match chants about France’s team after their Copa America title win. The remarks, which were made in a video posted on Instagram, single out France players of African heritage, from several countries, and holding a French passport.

The video, posted by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who plays for Chelsea, showed Argentina players appearing to sing about French players with African heritage. Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, France defender Wesley Fofana, posted the video on his social media accounts and called it "uninhibited racism." Fofana, who has family ties to Ivory Coast, is among several French players who are Black in the Chelsea first-team squad.

The same chants emerged before France and Argentina met in the World Cup final two years ago, which Argentina won. The French soccer federation, in a statement, condemned the remarks and said that the president had decided to contact the Argentinian counterpart and FIFA directly to file a legal complaint for racist and discriminatory remarks.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said that soccer and its 211 national federations must have a zero tolerance approach to racism and has committed to relaunching a task force to monitor incidents. However, FIFA could not immediately confirm Tuesday if the French complaint had been filed.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with many condemning the remarks as unacceptable and racist. Enzo Fernandez has apologized for his actions, but his apology has been met with skepticism. The French soccer federation’s decision to file a complaint with FIFA is seen as a step towards addressing the issue and ensuring that the sport is free from racism.

Additional sources: AP