Reece James and Enzo Maresca speak out on Enzo Fernandez return to Chelsea

Enzo Maresca and Reece James insist Chelsea are looking to quickly ‘move forward’ from the upset caused by Enzo Fernandez’s video with his Argentina teammates at the Copa America.

Chelsea opened an ‘internal disciplinary procedure’ last week after Fernandez filmed his Argentina teammates singing a racist song about France after their win against Colombia in the Copa America final.

During Fernandez’s broadcast which was live on Instagram, Argentina’s players could be heard singing the first two lines of the song, ‘on passport, French nationality, listen, spread the word, they play in France, but they are all…’, before someone is heard saying, ‘cut the video’.

The racist and transphobic chant, which was first sung by Argentina supporters during the 2022 World Cup, claims that France’s players are ‘all from Angola’ and makes a vile reference to a reported relationship between Kylian Mbappe and transgender model Ines Rau.

Fernandez plays alongside several black French teammates at Chelsea including Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu.

Fofana shared the video on X with the caption: ‘Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.’

Fofana, Gusto and Disasi also unfollowed the Argentina midfielder on Instagram.

When asked for his verdict on Fernandez’s situation, Maresca said at his press conference in the United States on Tuesday evening: ‘I think it’s quite easy in terms of the player did a statement apologising, the club did the same.

‘I don’t think there’s something to add in terms of this situation, it’s already clear and clarified.’

Asked if he envisaged any difficulties with Fernandez’s return to the Chelsea squad for the remainder of their pre-season campaign next week, Maresca said: ‘I don’t think so, to be honest.

‘In the end they are all human beings. I don’t think there is any bad intention from any one of them.

‘So I don’t think when Enzo comes back we’ll have any kind of problem.

‘As I said, the player already clarified the situation, the club did the same, there is nothing to add and once again, I think they are not bad persons or human beings, it can happen, but I don’t think it’s any problem at all.

‘I spoke with Enzo, I spoke with all of them, as I said, the player already did a statement apologising, so it’s quite clear.’

Meanwhile, Chelsea captain James insists he will resolve any disputes between Fernandez and his teammates if they arise when he returns to the squad.

‘It’s obviously a really difficult situation,’ James said.

‘I think Enzo acknowledged he did wrong and quickly put his hand up and apologised to the club, the team and the people offended.

‘He hasn’t arrived yet so I don’t know if there’s anything to amend. I’ll have to make that judgement when he comes back in.

‘But I hope everyone will be on the same page and can kind of move forward from this situation.

‘I’ve spoken to Enzo and everyone involved but the conversations have to stay in house.’

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