Wesley Fofana and the French Football Federation (FFF) condemned vision of Argentina's Copa America celebrations, alleging the team made "racially offensive and discriminatory remarks".
Chelsea and France defender Fofana used social media to highlight the nature of Argentina's celebrations, which were broadcast to Instagram by his club team-mate Enzo Fernandez, who has since apologised.
The FFF released a statement revealing they would file a legal complaint about Argentina's actions, while also challenging FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Argentina Football Association president Claudio Fabian Tapia to comment on the issue.
Argentina celebration controversy: Chant captured on video after Copa America final
After Fernandez posted footage of Argentina's celebrations following their Copa America final win against Colombia, his Chelsea team-mate Fofana reposted the footage on X with the caption, "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism."
It is alleged in the celebration video that Argentina's players made references to the family heritage of France's players, while alleged homophobic and transphobic slurs are also heard.
The chants and remarks are believed to stem from the World Cup 2022 final in which Argentina defeated France on penalties.
French Football Federation statement on Argentina's celebrations
"The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks which were made against the players of the French team in the context of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team after its victory in the Copa America and broadcast in a video on social media," a statement from the FFF read.
"Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentinian counterpart and FIFA, and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racist and discriminatory nature."
Wesley Fofana's relationship with Enzo Fernandez
Fofana and Fernandez have been team-mates at Premier League club Chelsea for the past 18 months.
They were also on opposite sides of an international rivalry between their nations France and Argentina, who played in the 2022 World Cup final.
Fofana and Chelsea team-mates Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram since the allegations have been made public.
Investigations into Argentina's celebrations
FIFA and the Argentina Football Association are yet to make comment on the racist celebrations, although world football's governing body has confirmed it is investigating the incident.
Chelsea issued a statement to confirm they were conducting an internal disciplinary procedure, adding: "Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.
"We acknowledge and appreciate our player's public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate."
Reports suggest the Premier League is also investigating.
Enzo Fernandez's apology
Hours after the allegations were levelled at Argentina, Fernandez used Instagram stories to apologise for the remarks made in the team's celebrations:
"I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations. The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.
"I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry."
Messi demand sees Argentina government minister sacked
Argentina's undersecretary of sport Julio Garro urged national team captain Lionel Messi and Argentinian Football Association president Claudio Tapia to apologise for the incident, although this conciliatory tone quickly fell foul of president Javier Milei's populist government.
"The president’s office says that no government can tell the Argentina national team – world champion and two-time Copa América champion – what to comment, what to think or what to do, or to any other citizen,” a statement published via social media read. "For this reason, Julio Garro is no longer undersecretary of sports of the nation."
Vice-president Victoria Villarruel also came out in support of Fernandez and his colleagues.
“No country with a colonial history is going to put us down for a song sung on a field nor for speaking a truth that nobody wants to admit,” she said, in what could be regarded as a historically selective version of events given the fate of Argentina's indigenous population at the hands of European settlers.
“Enough of pretending to be offended, hypocrites. Enzo I am with you, Messi thanks for everything! Argentines always keep your heads high! Long live Argentina!”
“We never forced our way of life on anyone, nor will we tolerate that someone tries to do the same to us.”
Alexis Mac Allister: Enzo Fernandez is not racist
Speaking to Urbana Play FM, Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister similarly highlighted differing cultural sensitivities in a defence of Fernandez. It is believed Mac Allister was not on the bus where the offending song was sung.
"You have to be careful with what you say or do, especially in Europe where they are much more sensitive than here," the Liverpool midfielder said. "The reality is that we are not a racist country, we are not used to talking about racism so much. Yes, it’s a very important topic, obviously.
"Enzo has already apologised and explained what happened. I don't think there's much more to say. We know Enzo, we know he would never do it with bad intentions, he’s not that guy, he's not racist. It's just a chant that got stuck and is more of a mocking tone than anything else.
"But, as I said, you have to be very careful. I think the most important thing is that Enzo came out, gave the corresponding apologies, and that, in the end, should be valued."
