Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out sent a letter to FIFA and CONMEBOL over the investigation into Enzo Fernández after the Argentine star posted an allegedly racist and anti-gay chant on social media last summer.
Chelsea midfielder Fernández, 23, posted a video of the Argentina team singing French players of African descent after beating Colombia in the Copa América final.
In the letter sent Monday and verified by ESPN, Kick It Out CEO Samuel Okafor wrote that the group had repeatedly asked FIFA and the English Football Association (FA) about the status of the investigation into the singing, to which Fernández apologized. after the French Football Federation filed a complaint, saying he was “caught up in the euphoria” of winning the international competition.
A source told ESPN’s James Olley in September that the FA was not going to investigate the matter as the incident fell under FIFA’s jurisdiction as it occurred while the player was on international duty.
This is in direct contrast to the seven-match suspension handed down by the FA to the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder. Rodrigo Bentancur following his comment that South Koreans “all look the same” during an interview.
This matter was the subject of an investigation by the English body since the Uruguay international made these comments on the national television channel Canal 10 in June, when he appeared in a personal capacity and not in as an international player.
“Establishing the facts and reaching an outcome should not be an extraordinary or difficult task for organizations that want to take discrimination seriously,” Okafor wrote in the letter.
“On behalf of many members of the football community who are invested in this matter, we would appreciate it if you would let us know if an investigation is underway and when you expect to reach a result.
“Several players were filmed singing a song that was both racist and transphobic about the French team’s coach. Midfielder Enzo Fernández was clearly seen singing, although we acknowledge that he was not alone in these actions as many players can be heard during the video.
“Chelsea said Fernández would take part in training to learn from his mistake. However, it is important to note how this incident and its handling would have affected a wider community, both in England and around the world.”
Okafor added that the absence of any investigation would be symbolic of a “deeply concerning lack of transparency and accountability, especially given the extent to which this incident has been publicized.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino launched an anti-racism task force in May 2024 – after disbanding its predecessor in 2018 after declaring its work finished – and asked all 211 member federations to consider racist abuse in the football as a disciplinary offense.
“As Mr Infantino highlighted in May 2024, when federations outlined their intention to take a global stand against racism, it is essential that we present a united front to combat discrimination,” the letter adds. “Otherwise, the federations’ claims that action is being taken fail at the first hurdle.”
ESPN reached out to FIFA and CONMEBOL for comment on the investigation and Kick It Out’s letter, but did not immediately receive a response.
Kick It Out declined to comment when contacted by ESPN.
Reporting from ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.
