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3 months ago
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Over the years, several football players from South American countries have landed themselves in hot water over racism storms.
Earlier this week, Argentina's Copa America winning squad came under fire after Enzo Fernandez published a video on social media showing members of his team appearing to sing a 'racist' chant on the team bus.
The World Cup winners had bested Colombia 1-0 in the final of the competition, thanks to a strike in extra-time from Lautaro Martinez. But their victory has been marred by the scenes that took place after the match, with several Argentina players seen singing a discriminatory song - which appears to have previously been sung at the 2022 World Cup - and contains the words that French players 'are all from Angola' and that they 'f*** transgender people like f***ing Mbappe'.
Fernandez has since taken to social media to apologise, but he has been criticised, along with several other members of the Argentina squad, by many on social media and some from the footballing world. His Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana called the chant 'uninhibited racism' on social media, while Chelsea have issued a statement, stating that they would be conducting an 'internal investigation' into the video.
Over the years, several football players from South America have been embroiled in racism storms of their own, including some high-profile players playing in the Premier League.
Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina team singing a racist chant about France
Wesley Fofana reposted the video via X alongside the words: 'Football in 2024: uninhibited racism'
Former Liverpool striker and Uruguay international, Suarez, 37, was charged by the Football Association (FA) for racially abusing ex-Man United defender Patrice Evra in 2011.
Suarez, who now plays alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami CF, denied that he used racist language towards the Frenchman, but was handed an eight-match ban and fined £40,000.
Evra had been tasked with marking Suarez at a corner. The pair appeared to clash in a heated exchange of words.
Evra subsequently gave his account of the incident, stating: 'In Spanish, he [Suarez] said: 'Don't touch me, I don't speak with n****'. In English, it's: 'I don't speak with the n-word'.
The incident was reported following the match and Suarez took to social media to defend himself, posting a message on X (formerly Twitter): 'I can only say that I have always respected and respect everybody.'
Liverpool, meanwhile, were furious at the ban and stated: 'The club remain fully supportive of Luis in this matter.'
They added: 'We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no one else on the field – including Evra's own team-mates and all the match officials – heard the alleged conversation between two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth while a corner-kick was about to be taken.'
Luis Suarez (left) was accused of racially abusing Patrice Evra (right) during a game in 2011
The Liverpool player posted a message on social media, stating: 'I can only say that I have always respected and respect everybody'
Former Man United striker, Cavani, 37, is currently plying his trade at Boca Juniors.
He enjoyed a two-year spell with the Red Devils between 2020 and 2022, but while he was playing for the club he was once banned for three games for using a racial term.
The forward, who hails from Uruguay, posted the words 'Gracias n******' on an Instagram, following the club's 3-2 victory against Southampton on November 29, 2020.
Cavani scored twice in the match, with one of his goals coming in the 92nd minute of the game, helping his side come back after going a goal down against the Saints.
The Uruguayan subsequently took the post down and apologised stating it was an expression of affection to a friend. The FA stated the comment was 'improper and brought the game of football into disrepute', before fining Cavani £100,000.
The FA also ordered Cavani to complete 'face-to-face education'. Cavani accepted the punishment, before apologising on his social media account.
'I do not want to extend much in this uncomfortable moment,' Cavani wrote on Instagram. 'I want to share with you that I accept the disciplinary sanction knowing that I am foreign to English language customs, but I do not share the point of view.
'I apologise if I offended someone with an expression of affection towards a friend, nothing further in my intention. Those who know me know that my effort always seeks the simplest joy and friendship!'
Edinson Cavani (pictured) was also embroiled in a racism scandal during his professional career
Cavani had posted a photograph of himself on his Instagram story writing the words 'Gracias n******'
Cavani subsequently apologised for the post and was fined by the Football Association
Rodrigo Bentancur
Tottenham player Bentancur issued an apology to his Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min after he appeared to suggest South Koreans 'look the same' on Uruguayan television.
The 27-year-old was asked by an interviewer in June of this year, whether he could get his hands on Son's Spurs jersey. The midfielder subsequently responded by telling him to 'get the jersey from his cousin', 'because they all look the same'.
The comment caused uproar on social media, with Bentancur issuing an apology to his team-mate on Instagram: 'Sony brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke!
'You know that I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!'
In an effort to resolve the matter, Tottenham took to social media to post Son's response to the comment. 'I have spoken with Lolo (Bentancur). He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised,' Son's statement read.
Son Heung-min (right) has responded to his Tottenham team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur (left) after the midfielder appeared to suggest South Koreans 'look the same' in a bizarre claim
During a TV interview, Bentancur was asked if he could get his hands on Son's Tottenham shirt, and responded by saying he could get the jersey 'from his cousin' as 'they all look the same'
Bentancur issued an apology on his Instagram story telling Son that he 'loved him' and added it was a 'very bad joke'
'Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.
'We're past this, we're united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one. Sonny.'
Spurs also issued a statement on the matter, writing: 'Following a comment from Rodrigo Bentancur in an interview video clip and the player’s subsequent public apology, the Club has been providing assistance in ensuring a positive outcome on the matter.
'This will include further education for all players in line with our diversity, equality and inclusion objectives.
'We fully support that our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident and that the team can focus on the new season ahead.
'We are extremely proud of our diverse, global fanbase and playing squads. Discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club, within our game or within wider society.'
Son had issued a statement via Tottenham's digital channels, writing: 'He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised'
Tottenham also issued a statement on the matter via social media, with Spurs writing 'We fully support that our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident'
The midfielder issued a heartfelt apology to his team-mate, claiming it was just a 'bad joke'
Alejandro Garnacho
The Man United star last year found himself at the centre of an FA investigation for a post he issued on X regarding his team-mate Andre Onana.
Garnacho had posted a picture of several United players celebrating with the Cameroon goalkeeper. It came following his crucial late penalty save in his side's Champions League victory against FC Copenhagen.
The Argentina youngster had captioned the post with two 'gorilla' emojis with the FA subsequently launching an investigation into the post, which constituted an aggravating factor under their rule Rule E3(1).
Onana also took to social media and offered his backing to his team-mate, writing: ‘People cannot choose what I should be offended by. I know exactly what @agarnacho7 meant: power and strength. This matter should go no further.’
The FA did not go on to charge Garnacho but 'reminded the Man United player of his responsibilities around social media posts and the use of emojis.
'We are satisfied with Alejandro Garnacho's explanation and the context that it provides, so we will not be issuing disciplinary proceedings on this occasion,' the FA said in a statement.
Alejandro Garnacho posted about team-mate Andre Onana and included two gorilla emojis
The teenager could now find himself in trouble with the Football Association over the now-deleted post, something which Onana (right) says would be a mistake, over on his Instagram
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Former Argentina international Lavezzi issued an apology after he had appeared to pull his eyes back during a photo shoot for his former side Hebei CFFC.
He had joined the Chinese outfit in 2016 from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth £8.46million but was pictured making the gesture in what had also appeared to be a photo shoot.
'Per the request of the Chinese Super League, we took the official photos for the season,' he said in a statement.
'We were given instructions by the official photographer and I was trying to make some interesting photos by making some funny faces, which would be used afterwards for entertainment purposes.
'I had no intention of insulting the Chinese people and did not do it with any bad intentions,' the Argentine added. 'I'm very happy to be here as part of the Hebei club. I have had a great time here with my team-mates and it has been a great journey. Every Chinese person around me is friendly and I love my life here.
'I deeply apologise if this photo has offended the Chinese public and fans. I will be more careful in the future.'
Ezequiel Lavezzi issued an apology after he had appeared to pull his eyes back during a photo shoot for his former side Hebei CFFC
Federico Valverde
Valverde once denied making a racist gesture as he celebrated scoring a goal at the U20 World Cup in South Korea back in 2017.
The Real Madrid midfielder scored an equaliser and slotted from the spot in a penalty shootout against Portugal on Sunday, to send Uruguay through to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Valverde, who was 18 years of age at the time, celebrated his goal by controversially performing a similar gesture, pulling his eyelids back with his fingers.
Federico Valverde (pictured) once denied making a racist gesture as he celebrated scoring a goal at the U20 World Cup in South Korea back in 2017
The incident sparked outcry among some, but Valverde took to X to issue a statement on the gesture.
In Korean, he tweeted: 'It is not a racist celebration. It was a private celebration for friends. I did not have any racist intent. I'd like to apologise.'
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