July 24 – New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insists there will be no problems when Enzo Fernandez joins up with the squad on Monday for their USA pre-season tour despite the racism storm involving the Argentine midfielder.
Fernandez (pictured) was accused of “uninhibited racism” by Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana after posting a video of Argentina players singing a racist and homophobic song about French players of African descent in the wake of Argentina winning the Copa America.
Chelsea have several French players and the incident threatens to divide the dressing room but Maresca has defended Fernandez and is confident there will be no split.
Fernandez has apologised publicly and privately to his team-mates though Chelsea are themselves investigating “an internal disciplinary procedure” while FIFA are also looking into the issue.
In his first press conference as Chelsea boss, Maresca said: “At the end, they are all human beings. There is no bad intention from any one of them.
“I don’t think when Enzo is back, we will have any problems. The player and club clarified the situation. It’s great the player did the statement to apologise. The club did the same. There is not something to add to the situation. It’s clear and clarified. He is not a bad human being. It can happen. I don’t think there are any problems at all.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734979023labto1734979023ofdlr1734979023owedi1734979023sni@w1734979023ahsra1734979023w.wer1734979023dna1734979023