Argentine captain Lionel Messi©AFP
Buenos Aires has apologized to France after Argentina’s vice-president called the European country a “colonialist” and its people “hypocrites” in a row over alleged racist chants by Argentine football players. President Javier Milei’s office said on Friday it had sent a senior official to the French embassy to explain that Victoria Villarruel’s angry statement on social media was made in a personal capacity. FIFA announced an investigation into the chants sung by Argentine players, including Chelsea and 23-year-old Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez, after winning the Copa América.
The screams were heard in a live video posted on social media by Fernández from the team bus after the World Cup victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday.
The song targets French striker Kylian Mbappe, among others, and includes racist and homophobic insults.
Fernandez apologized but Chelsea initiated internal disciplinary proceedings against him. The French Football Federation (FFF) complained to FIFA.
On Wednesday, Villarruel expressed support for Fernández at
The diplomatic incident occurred just days before Milei traveled to Paris to participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
“Diplomatic relations with France are intact,” presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said on Friday.
Argentina’s Sports Undersecretary Julio Garro was fired from his post this week after saying that captain Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Federation should apologize for the shouting.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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