Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has addressed the racism storm which has engulfed the club during their pre-season tour of the USA.
Enzo Fernandez has been at the centre of a racism row this month after he posted a video on Instagram which appeared to show him and his Argentina team-mates engaging in a derogatory chant about the France national team during celebrations of their Copa America success.
Fernandez has apologised to his Chelsea team-mates after joining the squad Stateside – and Fofana is now desperate to draw a line under the episode.
Speaking to the written press in the USA (via Sky Sports) the France defender said: “Enzo Fernandez said sorry. He did not want to hurt French fans or anyone.
“He did not understand when singing it, I trust him. Because I know him. I know Enzo. He is not racist. I’m happy to see Enzo back. We play together. We need to stay together. We’re strong together.
“If I’m on one side and Enzo is on the other side and we fight every day or we don’t talk or we’re not happy, then we don’t play well! It’s all ok now.”
At the time, the centre-back had described it as “uninhibited racism” and, while FIFA’s investigation into the incident continues, Chelsea’s internal disciplinary process has now been concluded.
Fernandez joined up with the Chelsea squad on Monday in Atlanta and apologised immediately to his team-mates, with the apology understood to be accepted.
The 23-year-old, who moved to Chelsea in February 2023 for a then British-record transfer fee of £106.8m from Benfica, has already trained with the squad in the USA.
Speaking from pre-season camp, head coach Enzo Maresca said on Tuesday: “We all feel very comfortable, very good. Enzo is back, he had a chat with all of us to clarify there was no bad intention. The lads, they all accept it.
“Everything was like before, the players were all together, all speaking, all laughing. There is no mystery, we’ve clarified the situation and there is nothing more to add. We all make mistakes. Enzo has apologised and his team-mates have accepted it.”
