The aftermath of Argentina’s 2024 Copa America victory has been marred by allegations of racism following a controversial live video posted by Enzo Fernandez. The video, which surfaced on social media, shows the national team singing a derogatory song on the team bus.
Demba Ba’s Criticism
Former Chelsea and Senegal forward Demba Ba criticized the Argentina national team on his X account, highlighting historical context: “Argentina, land of asylum for former Nazis on the run. From 1945, Peron hosted war criminals. And it surprises you…”
Details of the Controversial Video
In the video, Argentina players can be heard singing: “They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mother is from Cameroon, while their father is from Nigeria. But their passport says French.” This song has sparked widespread criticism and accusations of racism.
Reactions from the Football Community
Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, expressed his disapproval on social media, labeling the video as “uninhibited racism.” The France Football Association (FFF) also responded, with president Philippe Diallo announcing plans to file an official complaint with FIFA and the Argentina Football Association.
Argentine Response
In response to the backlash, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul shared insights into the team’s perspective. He mentioned that team captain Lionel Messi had urged the team to celebrate respectfully and avoid taunting anyone. De Paul remarked, “They always find something against the winner… All these things are said to discredit what we’ve achieved.”
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Argentina’s Copa America celebration has put the national team under scrutiny, highlighting ongoing issues of racism in football and sparking a broader conversation about respect and sportsmanship.
