Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has said his Argentine teammate Enzo Fernández has faced undeserved criticism over a video in which the Chelsea midfielder is seen singing a discriminatory chant.
Fernández apologised this week after posting a video on Instagram following his team's 1-0 win over Colombia in the Copa América final, showing himself and other Argentine players singing an offensive song denouncing French players of African descent.
Editor's Favorites
2 relatives
Chelsea and FIFA have launched an investigation into the incident after the French Football Federation (FFF) announced it would file a complaint over “racist and discriminatory comments” made by Fernández and his Argentine teammates.
Mac Allister, who is not seen in the video, told Argentine radio station Urbanaplay: “Enzo has already apologized and explained what happened. There is nothing more to add.”
“We know Enzo and we know he would never do it with any bad intentions. It's more of a chant that has stuck, and it's more in a mocking tone than anything else. The most important thing is that Enzo apologized, and we have to appreciate that.”
The same chants – from some Argentine fans – were heard before the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina, which Argentina won.
Fernández's teammates Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku from France both expressed their displeasure.
Alexis Mac Allister defended Argentine teammate Enzo Fernández. Daniel Jayo/Getty Images
Argentine international Rodrigo de Paul feels that Fernández is being unfairly targeted.
“It happens that you don’t analyse pitch songs,” said the Atletico Madrid midfielder.
“I can understand that people who have suffered racism and all that don't like it. But there are possibilities. If Enzo's [club] Teammates felt insulted. The way to do that is to ask him not to post it on social media. I think there's a bit of malice involved or Enzo is being put in a place he absolutely shouldn't be.”
The Argentine government on Thursday dismissed Deputy Sports Minister Julio Garro from his post because he demanded an apology from captain Lionel Messi and the president of the Football Association (AFA), Claudio Tapia, for the video.
Mac Allister said his country was not racist.
“The reality is that we are not a racist country here,” he said. “We are not used to talking about racism. It is an important issue.”
“You have to be careful what you do and say, especially in Europe because things are more sensitive there.”
