“You have to be careful with what you say” - Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister on Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez after racism row with Argentina
Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister issued a warning to Argentina teammate Enzo Fernandez after the latter found himself embroiled in controversy. The Chelsea midfielder was filmed chanting racist slurs against the French national team after La Albiceleste's triumph at Copa America 2024.
The chant sung by Fernandez originated during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and aimed jibes at the French players' ethnicity. It claimed that they were all of African descent, insinuating that it wasn't France that made the World Cup final.
Mac Allister spoke out in defense of his teammate, saying that Fernandez would never have any negative intentions and that he was just using a mocking tone in the chant. However, he added that footballers have to be very cautious with their words and actions, claiming that Europe was much more sensitive than South America in this aspect.
In conversation with Argentine radio station UrbanaPlay 104.3 FM, the Liverpool playmaker said (via @AlbicelesteTalk on X):
"You have to be careful with what you say or do, especially in Europe where they are much more sensitive than here. The reality is that we (Argentina) are not a racist country; we are not used to talking about racism so much."
"Yes, it's a very important topic, obviously. Enzo has already apologized and explained what happened. I don't think there's much more to say. We know Enzo, we know he would never do it with bad intentions, he's not that guy, he's not racist.
"It's just a chant that got stuck and is more of a mocking tone than anything else. But, as I said, you have to be very careful. I think the most important thing is that Enzo came out, gave the corresponding apologies, and that, in the end, should be valued," Mac Allister concluded.
"Stop stimulating indignation, hypocrites" - Argentina vice-president speaks out in support of Enzo Fernandez after racism controversy
Victoria Villarruel, the vice-president of Argentina, also spoke out in support of midfielder Enzo Fernandez after he was caught in a racism controversy.
A clip of the Chelsea man singing a song with derogatory remarks towards the French national team went viral on social media. It was met with severe backlash, with Fernandez eventually releasing an apology for his actions.
However, Villarruel felt that there was nothing wrong with the 23-year-old's actions. In a post on X, the 49-year-old wrote (via @ESPNFC on X):
"No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a football song nor for telling the truths that they don't want to admit. Stop stimulating indignation, hypocrites. Enzo, I'll back you. (Lionel) Messi, thanks for everything! Argentines always with their heads held high! Long live Argentina!"