Reece James admits the racism storm surrounding Chelsea team-mate Enzo Fernandez might be a “drawback” throughout the dressing room.
Fernandez and his Argentina team-mates precipitated controversy throughout their Copa America celebrations, once they have been filmed singing a derogatory music aimed toward a variety of France gamers.
Whereas Chelsea’s club-record signing has apologised, he was known as out by Blues team-mate and France worldwide Wesley Fofana who stated the video confirmed “uninhibited racism”.
An inner investigation is underneath approach, with Fernandez because of meet up together with his Chelsea colleagues on Monday as their pre-season preparations proceed in the USA.
Requested if the problem might impression on staff spirit at Stamford Bridge, James informed ESPN: “After all.
“There’s at all times the issue the place it would not sit proper with individuals when there might be an issue.
“However till the day comes the place everybody’s collectively and in a room collectively, I do not know, however I hope issues will be resolved easily and we will transfer ahead with the season.”
England full-back James, who’s again in coaching after an injury-hit marketing campaign final 12 months, revealed he has already had a dialog with Fernandez.
“I spoke to him a bit, however it was onerous as a result of we have been on completely different time zones,” he added.
“Only a basic chat actually. His views on what occurred and him attempting to elucidate his state of affairs and the way issues occurred.
“It is a actually tough state of affairs. There is no room for racism or discrimination in soccer.
“I believe he shortly put his hand up and acknowledged he’d finished fallacious and apologised to his team-mates, the membership and the remainder of the people who have been offended. I believe that was most likely the very best he might have finished in that state of affairs.”
Sky Sports activities Information reported FIFA had begun an investigation into the incident and appeared to talk to Fernandez.
A FIFA spokesperson stated: “FIFA strongly condemns any type of discrimination by anybody together with gamers, followers and officers.”
Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana, who spent the second half of final season on mortgage at Burnley, reacted by posting on social media: “The soccer that I like is multi-ethnic.
“Racism in all its varieties ought to be condemned within the strongest doable phrases. These acts don’t have any place in soccer and even anyplace else.
“This battle actually must be taken critically by everybody concerned on this sport.”
Maresca: No drawback with Fernandez’s return after racism allegations
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says there will not be “any sort of drawback” when Fernandez joins their pre-season tour amid ongoing disciplinary proceedings into alleged racism.
“I believe it is fairly simple by way of the participant gave an announcement, apologised and the membership did the identical so I do not suppose there’s something so as to add by way of this example. It is already clear and clarified,” stated Maresca.
“In the long run, they’re all human beings. I do not suppose there are any unhealthy intentions from any one in every of them. I do not suppose that when Enzo is again we can have any sort of drawback. The participant already clarified the state of affairs. The membership did the identical so there’s nothing so as to add.
“And, as soon as once more, they don’t seem to be unhealthy individuals or unhealthy human beings. It could occur. I do not suppose there’s any drawback in any respect. I spoke with all of them, however the participant already did an announcement, apologised, so it is fairly clear.”
Fernandez: I’m actually sorry
The statements from Chelsea and FIFA got here after Fernandez stated he was “actually sorry” for the video.
“The music contains extremely offensive language and there’s completely no excuse for these phrases,” the 23-year-old stated.
“I stand towards discrimination in all varieties and apologise for getting caught up within the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
“That video, that second, these phrases, don’t replicate my beliefs or my character.
“I’m actually sorry.”
French Soccer Federation to file authorized criticism
The French Soccer Federation stated it might file a authorized criticism alleging “racially offensive and discriminatory remarks” have been made by Argentina gamers.
In an announcement, the FFF – the governing physique of French soccer – stated its president Philippe Diallo would problem FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Argentina Soccer Affiliation boss Claudio Fabian Tapia to reply to the alleged remarks.
The assertion learn: “The president of the French Soccer Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns within the strongest phrases the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks which have been made towards the gamers of the French staff within the context of a music sung by gamers and supporters of the Argentina staff after its victory within the Copa America and broadcast in a video on social media.
“Confronted with the seriousness of those stunning remarks, opposite to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF determined to straight problem his Argentinian counterpart and FIFA, and to file a authorized criticism for insulting remarks of a racist and discriminatory nature.”
Argentina beat France in a penalty shoot-out within the 2022 World Cup ultimate, a match round which some followers of the Argentina staff have been heard singing discriminatory songs.