Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called Enzo Fernandez a “good human being” who had “no bad intentions” when he joined in with a racist and homophobic chant about the heritage of some French players in a video the midfielder posted of Argentina’s Copa America celebrations.
New boss Maresca said the video, which has led to several of Fernandez’s team-mates unfollowing him on Instagram and is the subject of an internal disciplinary procedure, would not affect team spirit.
“I don’t think there are any bad intentions behind [it],” said Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino on July 1 after leading Leicester City to promotion to the Premier League last season, speaking to ESPN.
“Starting from that point, for me it is quite easy. The player already did a statement apologising.
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“The club did the same, so there are not many things to add. The only thing I can say from my point of view [is] that they are all young with good intentions. Good guy, good person, good human being. There was not any bad intention.”
Chelsea US tour: Maresca ‘spoke with’ Fernandez
Chelsea face Wrexham in Santa Clara on Wednesday in the first game of a five-match pre-season US tour.
Fernandez is set to arrive on Monday, joining a group which includes France defender Wesley Fofana, who denounced the video as “uninhibited racism”.
“I don’t think so,” Maresca said when he was asked whether the clip would damage squad relationships. “Probably [anger] is the immediate reaction.
“But all in all, I don’t think so. I spoke with Enzo but… I spoke with all of them. The situation is quite clear.”
Fernandez cost Chelsea £106.8 million when he joined the club from Benfica in January 2023.
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Enzo Fernandez video
The 23-year-old later wrote on Instagram that he was “truly sorry” for posting the video, adding: “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.”
In a statement, Chelsea called 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,” they said.
“We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.”
