International controversy over racist chant in the Argentine national team

The world of football has been embroiled in an international controversy following the dissemination of a video in which players from the Argentine national team sing a chant that has been deemed racist and discriminatory towards the French national team. In the midst of this controversy, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has come to the defense of his teammate Enzo Fernández, who found himself at the center of the controversy after being responsible for the publication of the video in question. De Paul, who plays for Atlético Madrid, expressed his support for Fernández during an interview in which he explained that the chant in question is part of football folklore and is often sung more as a joke or banter rather than a deliberate act of discrimination. However, he acknowledged that he can understand how this attitude can hurt those who have personally experienced racism. The scandal erupted after a video circulated on social media showing several Argentine footballers singing the chant on the team bus following their victory in the Copa América final against Colombia. In this chant, derogatory references are made towards the French players, including mentions of their African origins and nationality issues. Reactions were swift, with the French Football Federation condemning the chant as racist and discriminatory. Additionally, FIFA announced an investigation into the matter, condemning any form of discrimination in sports. Chelsea, the club where Enzo Fernández plays, also took disciplinary measures in response. Amidst this tense situation, Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel came to the defense of Enzo Fernández, showing her support and rejecting the pressure exerted by critical sectors. However, the controversy has escalated to the point where even the Argentine government has intervened, dismissing the Deputy Sports Secretary for his stance on the issue and demanding public apologies from figures such as Lionel Messi and the president of the AFA. Enzo Fernández, on his part, issued apologies through his social media, acknowledging the mistake and trying to calm tensions in a moment of high sensitivity. Meanwhile, the discussion about the boundaries of football folklore and the responsibility of players in using stereotypes and discriminatory comments continues to be open, sparking a debate about the culture of sports and its impact on society.