Argentina apologises to France in football-chant row
BUENOS AIRES – Buenos Aires has apologised to France after Argentina’s vice-president called the European country “colonialist” and its people “hypocrites” in an argument over alleged racist chants by Argentinian footballers.
President Javier Milei’s office said on July 19 that it had sent a senior official to the French embassy to explain that Ms Victoria Villarruel’s angry statement on social media was made in her personal capacity.
World football’s governing body Fifa has announced an investigation into the chants sung by Argentina players, including Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 23, after they won the Copa America.
The chants were heard on a live video posted on social media by Fernandez from the team bus in the wake of the final victory over Colombia in Miami on July 14.
The song targets France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and includes racist and homophobic insults.
Fernandez has apologised, admitting there is “no excuse for these words” and that he “stands against discrimination in all forms” but Chelsea have launched an internal disciplinary procedure against him.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has also complained to Fifa, as its president Philippe Diallo “condemned with the greatest firmness the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against players of the France team”.
On July 17, Ms Villarruel expressed support for Fernandez on X, saying: “No colonialist country is going to intimidate us because of a stadium chant nor for speaking truths that they do not want to admit.
“Enough with feigned outrage, hypocrites.”
She also claimed that Argentina “never had colonies or second-class citizens” and “never imposed its way of life on anyone” – in reference to the FFF’s legal complaint.
The football episode has sparked a furious debate among many on both social and traditional media, with multiple sides discussing whether or not Argentina was racist as a country.
Javier Mascherano, the coach of Argentina’s Olympic football team, said he felt the video had been “taken out of context” as he sprang to the defence of Fernandez.
“Argentines, if there’s one thing we’re not, it’s racists,” he said. “Often, as part of a celebration, you can take part of a video and take it out of context.”
However, former France captain Hugo Lloris has insisted that the euphoria from winning a tournament does not excuse one from making racist chants.
Crucially, the diplomatic incident came just days before Mr Milei is due to travel to Paris to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 26.
“The government’s position is to not confuse passion for sports with diplomatic issues,” presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said on July 19.
“Diplomatic relationships with France are completely intact.” AFP
