Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has come to the defense of his Argentina teammate Enzo Fernández amidst the undeserved backlash he is facing for a discriminatory chant captured in a video. Mac Allister emphasized that Enzo has already apologized and explained the situation, suggesting that there was no malicious intent. He believes that the song in question was more of a chant that stuck with the players and was sung in a mocking tone rather than with harmful intentions.
The controversial video led to an investigation by Chelsea and FIFA, with the French Football Federation (FFF) announcing its plans to file a legal complaint over the “racist and discriminatory remarks” made by Fernández and his Argentina teammates. Argentina’s victory in the Copa América final against Colombia was overshadowed by the offensive chant directed at France players of African heritage. The incident has sparked discontent among Fernández’s club teammates Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku from France.
Argentina international Rodrigo de Paul has weighed in on the controversy, expressing his belief that Enzo Fernández is facing unfair targeting. De Paul pointed out that the chants sung by fans are not always deeply analyzed and that the situation could have been handled differently if Fernández’s club teammates were offended. He suggested that addressing the issue privately rather than through social media would have been more appropriate.
Argentina’s government took action by removing the country’s undersecretary of sport for calling on captain Lionel Messi and the president of the Football Federation (AFA) to apologize for the video. Despite the backlash, Mac Allister defended Argentina as a non-racist country, stating that racism is not a commonly discussed topic. He emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of discrimination while maintaining that Argentina does not align with racist beliefs.
The controversy surrounding Enzo Fernández’s video highlights the complexities of addressing discriminatory behavior in the world of sports. While some players have stood by Fernández, others have expressed their disappointment and called for accountability. It serves as a reminder of the responsibility that athletes and individuals have in promoting inclusivity and respect in the sports community.