Argentina’s deputy sports minister Julio Garro has been dismissed following his suggestion that Lionel Messi should apologize for what some people regarded as a controversial song targeting France’s national team.
The French Football Federation accused Argentina’s football players of using “racist and discriminatory language” after a social media video went viral.
Enzo Fernandez, who apologized despite having done no wrong, is currently facing disciplinary proceedings at Chelsea after posting the clip. He did so following a call-out by his French club teammate Wesley Fofana.
The song, originally sung by Argentina fans, questions the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players and is considered deeply offensive by many.
Garro’s call for Messi, the World Cup-winning captain and widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, to apologize sparked swift repercussions.
Argentina’s right-wing president, Javier Milei, promptly fired Garro just hours after his comments aired on Argentine radio station Urbana Play.
A statement read: “The Office of the President states that no government has the right to tell the Argentine national team, world champions and double Copa America champions, or any other citizen, what to comment, what to think and what to do. That is why Julio Garro ceases to be the under-secretary of sport.”
“I think [Messi] should come out and offer the appropriate apologies, as should the Argentine Football Federation president [Claudio Tapia],” Garro told Urbana Play.
Garro expressed concern that the incident tarnished Argentina’s image following their Copa America victory, with widespread criticism of the team’s celebratory actions.
