Argentina won the Copa America, but lost the respect of many with the manner of their celebration.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez faces disciplinary proceedings at Chelsea after posting a video on social media that the French Football Federation said included alleged “racist and discriminatory language”.
Fifa is also investigating the video, in which several members of the Argentina squad – celebrating their 1-0 win over Colombia in the final – take part in a song originally sung by Argentina fans questioning the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players.
The global repercussions of that song have sparked a reaction from the Argentine government.
Javier Milei’s right-wing administration has no natural sympathy for anything that might be considered ‘woke’.
But Julio Garro, the under-secretary for sports, suggested that team captain Lionel Messi and local FA president Claudio Tapia should issue an apology for the song that some were singing on the bus on Sunday night. “It’s left us looking bad,” he said.
Garro was sacked, external on Wednesday for his comments, while others have rejected the need for an apology.
With monotonous and depressing regularity, when teams from Argentina play opponents from Brazil in continental club competitions, there are scenes in the stands of Argentine fans making monkey gestures.
When interviewed, the perpetrators vehemently deny that they are racists. They are indulging in ‘banter’. All is fair, they argue, in love, war and football. Anything that goads and irritates the opposition is fair game. And on this latest matter, such sentiments are widespread.
The attempts from Argentine clubs to crack down on this behaviour have often been half-hearted, with references to ‘xenophobia’ – instead of calling it what it is: racism.
Especially depressing is the fact that this behaviour has been exhibited by some of the players. Here there is no excuse.
With the exception of Lionel Messi and back-up goalkeeper Franco Armani, the entire squad is based in Europe.
These players are part of multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-racial squads. They should know much better. Quite apart from any possible sanctions, there could be some very awkward dressing-room moments when they report back for pre-season training.
