Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Argentina's triumphant Copa America victory has been overshadowed by a racism controversy, exposing deep-seated issues within the sport and sparking a global debate on discrimination in football.
Screengrab from the live-streamed video
Argentina's Copa America triumph on July 14 has become the epicentre of a global controversy. Following the team’s 1-0 victory over Colombia in Miami, midfielder Enzo Fernandez live-streamed a video from the team bus.
The video showed several players singing a chant. It quickly drew widespread condemnation and turned a moment of national pride into an international scandal.
Argentina's players celebrate defeating Canada during Copa America semifinal
Dissecting the chant: Not just ‘locker room talk’
The chant wasn't merely offensive banter. It contained lyrics mocking French players of African descent, suggesting they weren't truly French despite holding French passports. This wasn't new – similar chants had been heard from some Argentina fans before the 2022 World Cup final against France.
The lyrics made derogatory references to the family heritage of French players from various African countries, and contained homophobic and transphobic slurs.
This incident struck a nerve globally because it touched on sensitive issues of race, national identity, and the responsibility of high-profile athletes. In an era where global football is publicly combating racism, this felt like a significant setback.
Wesley Fofana and Enzo Fernandez
The Fallout: A team divided, a nation conflicted
The aftermath revealed deep divisions. Enzo Fernandez issued an apology on social media, acknowledging the offensive nature of the chant. Argentina's vice president Victoria Villarruel defended the team, framing criticism as "colonialist" intimidation. The government fired one of their leading officials, Julio Garro who urged Lionel Messi and the president of the Argentine Football Association to apologise.
The rift extended beyond Argentina. Fernandez's Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana, who has family ties to Ivory Coast, described the video as showcasing "uninhibited racism”. It was Fofana who had shared the video on his own social media accounts, catapulting the incident into the international spotlight. This action by Fofana, a respected figure in football, gave the controversy immediate credibility and sparked widespread discussion across the global football community.
Fofana and fellow Chelsea players Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram, highlighting the personal impact of the incident. This public display of disapproval from teammates added another layer to the unfolding drama.
The French Football Federation (FFF) pledged to file a complaint with Fifa over the "racist and discriminatory remarks”.
In Argentina as well, the incident has created a widening rift between football authorities and political figures. While Fifa has launched an investigation, some politicians have framed the issue as one of national sovereignty, further complicating the response.
Liverpool players take the knee around the centre circle at Anfield in a gesture of support for victims of racism
A Mirror to society: What this reveals about football culture
This controversy has once again highlighted football's struggle with racism. It's particularly troubling that players who have likely experienced discrimination themselves were involved in perpetuating harmful stereotypes. South American players have often been targets of racist abuse in European leagues.
This raises uncomfortable questions about how deeply ingrained these attitudes are in football culture.
Representational Image
Addressing the root causes
In hindsight, there are several areas that demand critical attention.
First, education in football lacks a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity and diversity. Young players, especially at the grassroots level in youth academies and local clubs, often receive inadequate training on these subjects.
Team cultures often contribute to the problem. Locker room environments, which are usually hidden from public view, can become breeding grounds for problematic attitudes. Many clubs and national teams lack a proactive approach to fostering an inclusive culture where discriminatory behaviour is clearly unacceptable.
Fan education is another neglected area. Players' attitudes often mirror broader societal issues, and without coordinated efforts between clubs, football associations, and fan groups, promoting inclusivity in the stands remains challenging.
Finally, the current accountability systems in place are often inadequate. While punishments exist, they are rarely coupled with rehabilitation programs focused on education and personal growth.
Argentina players on an open bus during their homecoming parade post World Cup triumph in 2022, in Buenos Aires
Beyond the pitch: The ripple effects
The consequences have the potential to reshape the landscape of international football. Argentina, fresh off their Copa America triumph, now face the threat of Fifa sanctions. These could range from fines to points deductions in future qualifying campaigns or even exclusion from tournaments.
Such sanctions would not only impact Argentina's sporting aspirations but could also affect the nation's football economy and global standing. The country has been mired in economic crises for a while now with inflation well over 200 per cent.
The fallout is likely to hit individual players hard, particularly those with high-profile careers in European leagues. Enzo Fernandez, who made headlines in 2023 as the most expensive player in British football history with his £106.7 million move to Chelsea, finds himself at the centre of this storm. His playing time, leadership roles, or even his long-term future at Chelsea could be at stake.
Sponsorship deals, both for individual players and the national team, hang in the balance. Brands are increasingly wary of associating with controversy, especially involving issues of discrimination. If sponsors pull out or demand clause revisions in their contracts, it could lead to significant financial repercussions for the players and the Argentine Football Association.
Marcus Rashford takes the knee before the game
Racism in contemporary football
Racism in football is not new. South American players, particularly those of African descent, have faced racist abuse both domestically and internationally. Prominent players have publicly addressed their struggles with racism in European leagues in the recent past.
Brazilian star Vinícius Jr. has been a high-profile victim of racist abuse in Spain’s La Liga. During his time with Real Madrid, Vinícius has faced multiple instances of racial abuse from fans of opposing teams. AT one press meet, Vinícius broke down in tears.
England striker Raheem Sterling has been vocal about the racism he has faced throughout his career. Sterling has pointed out the lack of Black representation in football's higher echelons and the persistent discriminatory behaviour from fans and officials alike.
Monkey chants directed at Black players have been a distressingly common occurrence in European football grounds. Players like Romelu Lukaku and Kevin-Prince Boateng have had to endure such abuse during matches. Despite stadium bans and fines imposed on offending clubs, the recurrence of these incidents indicates a persistent problem.
Lionel Messi
What happens next?
Fifa has launched an investigation, though questions remain about their jurisdiction over an incident that happened on a team bus after a tournament. Their ability to act may depend on how satisfactorily the Argentina Football Association handles the case.
The international football community is closely watching how this situation unfolds. Argentina's reputation has undoubtedly been affected, and once again fingers have been pointed to the country being seen as a safe place for Nazis after World War II.
It's worth noting that the involvement of Lionel Messi, one of football's greatest players, in the chant remains unclear. Was Messi also mouthing those foul words? His response could be crucial in shaping public opinion and the team's approach to addressing the issue. Messi is a god on the field. Does he have feet of clay off it?
