Argentina’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel has come to the defense of Enzo Fernandez amidst a controversy over alleged racism following the team’s Copa America victory.
The incident began with a video circulating on social media showing Fernandez and some teammates singing a song that many criticized as racially charged and aimed at French players of African descent. Following widespread backlash, Fernandez issued an apology for the offensive language used in the song.
FIFA announced an investigation into the matter, and Chelsea also initiated their own inquiry. Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s teammate at Chelsea, publicly condemned his actions.
In response, Villarruel publicly supported Fernandez on social media, asserting Argentina’s refusal to be intimidated by what she termed a ‘colonialist country’, and emphasizing the nation’s sovereignty and freedom.
Villarruel offered steadfast support to Fernandez and urged fellow Argentinians to uphold their dignity.
“No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a song on the pitch or for telling the truths they don’t want to admit,” Villarruel posted on her account on X.
“Argentina is a sovereign and free country. We never had colonies or second-class citizens. We have never imposed our way of life on anyone.”
“But neither will we tolerate that they do it to us … Enzo I support you, (Lionel) Messi, thanks for everything! Argentinians always hold your head up high.”
In a related development, Argentina’s deputy sports minister Julio Garro was dismissed after suggesting that Lionel Messi should apologize for the same controversial song aimed at the French national team.
