Which different Premier League stars had been on Argentina’s workforce bus?
Enzo Fernandez has sparked outrage after posting a video showing him and some of his Argentina team-mates singing a racist song about French players – but questions have been posed as to who else was joining in with the vile chant.
The scandal has already split the Chelsea dressing room, with Fernandez’s French team-mate Wesley Fofana accusing him of ‘uninhibited racism’ and Nicolas Jackson defending the Argentine, while the club have confirmed they are investigating.
A number of the Albiceleste squad were present on the team bus following the victory in Florida but it is still unclear which players were taking part in the chanting beyond Fernandez.
It is thought that the footage contains two songs, according to reports; the second being the one that has alleged racist connotations and is part of a song that emerged around the 2022 World Cup final.
A player wearing shorts bearing the No 16, which is Giovani Lo Celso‘s squad number at the Copa America, appears to be banging the team bus in time with the first chant. It is unclear whether the player continues to chant during the second song.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina team singing a racist chant about France
Fofana reposted the video via X alongside the words: ‘Football in 2024: uninhibited racism’
Nicolas Jackson came out in support of his Chelsea team-mate in a series of Instagram posts
Julian Alvarez was seen in a snippet of the footage record by Fernandez sat next to the Chelsea player on the bus, however there is no evidence of the Manchester City youngster taking part in the singing of the chant in question.
Manchester United wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho is not featured in the footage.
Reports have suggested that one figure in the footage might be his Manchester United team-mate Lisandro Martinez, however that person is not taking part in any of the chanting, and it is as yet inconclusive whether it is in fact the United defender.
Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister was not seen in the footage either, and is not thought to have been on the bus, nor indeed was talisman Lionel Messi.
A number of Premier League players that were part of the Argentina squad have been active on social media following the game.
Garnacho is already on his way to celebrate some well-earned time off after the summer competition, sharing a snap from a plane with the caption: ‘Vacation time’.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez – who also did not appear to be in the video – posted a picture of himself in Southbeach, Florida, on a boat out on the water relaxing.
Cristian Romero took to Instagram to share a picture with what appears to be his child holding the Copa America trophy in the cockpit of a plane, with the caption: ‘It’s safe with Chuky!’
Lo Celso and Rodrigo De Paul were also on what appeared to be a plane, posing with an Argentina staff member and the trophy smiling in the wake of their second successive crown.
It is unclear whether Martinez or Romero were in the footage posted by Fernandez on social media.
The Chelsea midfielder published an apology on Instagram on Tuesday night, claiming that he was ‘caught up in the euphoria’ of the team’s celebrations.
‘I want to apologise for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations,’ his message began.
‘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.
Alejandro Garnacho and Emiliano Martinez have been enjoying their time off following the match in Florida
Giovani Lo Celso posed with Rodrigo De Paul and an Argentina coach with the trophy on a plane
Fernandez has taken to social media to apologise for his actions after Argentina’s win
‘That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.’
Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City have all been approached for comment by Mail Sport.
