Banned for Racism: Players Named as France Files Complaint Against Enzo Fernandez
- Enzo Fernandez found himself in trouble after being accused of using offensive words against French players while celebrating Argentina's Copa America victory
- The Chelsea midfielder was criticised for the kind of song he was rendering alongside teammates after their win over Colombia in the final
- With the Argentine likely to face a suspension, Legit.ng looks at the top five players who have previously been banned for racist behaviour
Chelsea and FIFA are currently looking into a social media video posted by midfielder Enzo Fernandez, which has incited considerable anger among his teammates.
The video, shared by Fernandez after Argentina's Copa America final triumph on Sunday, shows members of the national team engaging in what appears to be a racist and discriminatory chant.
Source: UGC
Chelsea player Wesley Fofana, a French international, condemned the video as exhibiting "uninhibited racism."
Following this, Fofana and other French Chelsea players—Axel Disassi, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, and Malang Sarr—have unfollowed Fernandez on social media.
The French Football Federation has filed a complaint with FIFA, leading the organization to initiate an investigation.
Fernandez has apologised for the video, and Chelsea have released a statement saying they will take appropriate action, which could includes a suspension.
Legit.ng explores five players who have been banned for racist behaviour in the past.
Players who have been banned for racism
Luis Suarez
Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, known for his controversies, faced a significant ban in the 2011/12 season.
While playing for Liverpool, Suarez was accused of using a racist term against Manchester United's Patrice Evra during a match in October 2011, per the Guardian.
Despite Suarez's denial and claim that the term was colloquial in his native language, the FA charged him with using abusive language, including a racial reference, and imposed an eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine.
John Terry
Chelsea’s former captain John Terry faced allegations of using racist language towards QPR’s Anton Ferdinand in November 2011, per the BBC.
Although Terry was acquitted in a court of law, an FA investigation found him guilty of using abusive and insulting words that included a reference to Ferdinand’s race.
As a result, Terry received a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine.
Emre Belozoglu
Turkish footballer Emre Belozoglu faced multiple accusations of racism throughout his career. While playing for Newcastle United in 2006, he was charged with using racist insults but was cleared after investigation.
However, in April 2012, while at Fenerbahce, Emre was accused of racially abusing Trabzonspor's Didier Zokora.
Admitting to using a "stupid word," Emre received a two-match ban from the Turkish FA and later a suspended two-and-a-half-year prison sentence from a Turkish court.
Edwin Cardona
Colombian player Edwin Cardona made an offensive gesture towards South Korea’s captain Sung-Yueng Ki during a friendly match.
The "squinting-eyes" gesture, caught on camera, led FIFA to ban Cardona for five international games for making a discriminatory gesture.
Cardona apologised, but the incident tarnished his reputation.
Aleksandar Tonev
Bulgarian winger Aleksandar Tonev was banned for seven matches by the Scottish FA in 2014 for using racist language towards Aberdeen’s Shay Logan during a match while on loan at Celtic. Despite Tonev’s denial and Celtic's appeal, the SFA upheld the ban, considering Logan's testimony more reliable.
These cases highlight the ongoing issue of racism in football and the severe consequences players face for such behaviour.
Enzo speaks after alleged racist incident
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez found himself in trouble after being accused of using offensive words against French players while celebrating Argentina's Copa America victory.
La Albiceleste were crowned South American champions for the second time in a row after defeating Colombia 1-0 in the 2024 edition's final in the USA.
An extra-time goal from Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez gave Lionel Scaloni's side the deserved victory over James Rodriguez's Colombia.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
