After the broadcast of racist chants by the players of the Argentina team, targeting in particular the players of the French team, the French defender Wesley Fofana took to Instagram to condemn this behavior. Lionel Messi’s teammates, celebrating their victory in the Copa America, sang offensive chants towards the French players, provoking an indignant reaction from Fofana.
In a video posted by Chelsea player Enzo Fernandez, racist chants can be heard such as: “They play for France but they all come from Angola. That’s good, they know how to run, they’re trans like that fucking Mbappé. His mother is Nigerian, his father is Cameroonian, but on the passport: French.” These remarks sparked a lively controversy and Fofana’s denunciation of the “uninhibited racism” of the Argentinian players.
By taking a stand, Wesley Fofana exposed himself to a wave of online hate, receiving racist messages of unprecedented violence. Despite these attacks, he was keen to stress the importance of solidarity within his team. “I am happy that Enzo is back. We play together. We have to stay together. We are strong together,” he said. He also added that maintaining a good understanding with his teammates, including Enzo Fernandez, is essential to playing well and staying united despite conflicts and tensions.
