France Football sends message of support to Jules Kounde and Wesley Fofana after they call out Argentina players on social media
The French Football Federation has come out in support of its players, Wesley Fofana and Jules Kounde, after they were targeted with racial abuse. The episode took place after the duo called out Argentina players for their racist chanting in the aftermath of the 2024 Copa America win.
Fofana made a social post, quoting the video of the Argentina players signing racist chants and calling them out. Kounde lent his voice to Fofana's post and amplified it. The duo were then racially abused on social media platforms.
In the aftermath of these events, the official X account of the France national football team posted a message, backing their players and criticizing the racist abuse aimed at the duo.
"The FFF provides its full support to Wesley Fofana and Jules Koundé, targets of intolerable racist messages on social networks. These reprehensible comments go against the values of football, sport, and human rights that bring us together," the post read.
Led by Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, Argentina players celebrated their Copa America win last week by chanting derogatory songs to mock the French side, who weren't even part of the competition. The Chelsea man live-streamed the celebrations on Instagram, leading to widespread criticism of him and his teammates.
The France Football Federation has already initiated proceedings by submitting a report to FIFA about the racist nature of the celebration of the Argentine players. Chelsea have also begun internal investigations into the actions of their player in the video, Enzo Fernandez.
Rodrigo De Paul jumps to defence of Argentina teammates following racism episode against French players
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has leapt to the defence of his national teammates after they were embroiled in a racism row. The South American champions mocked the France team in a derogatory fashion as part of their celebrating their Copa America win.
De Paul told Argentine outlet Olga en Vivo (via GOAL) about the situation surrounding Enzo Fernandez and his Chelsea teammates, in particular. He called out the reaction of Wesley Fofana, stating that the Frenchman ought to seek a solution with Enzo and not flare up the entire situation.
"You don’t analyse the songs that much. I can understand people who have suffered racism and don’t like it, but then there is a place for everything.
"If someone or a colleague of Enzo feels offended, the way to go about it is to call him if you know him personally, not to put it on social networks. There is a bit of malice in it, or maybe wanting to put Enzo in a spot that he has nothing to do with. You don’t have to add fuel to the fire, or make it into a show.”
Enzo Fernandez has apologized to the public as well as his teammates since the episode took place.