Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca, Reece James Defend Enzo Fernandez After Racism Saga

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, and the club’s captain, Reece James believe that Enzo Fernandez won’t have a problem when he returns to the side this summer.

Enzo Fernandez has been subjected to a series of criticism after using his Instagram page to stream a moment he and his Argentina national team were making racial chants questioning the nationality of France’s national team players.

The chant forced the France Football Federation (FFF) to take legal action and FIFA to order an investigation into the incident. Also, some of the seven French players at Chelsea unfollowed the Argentine midfielder on Instagram due to the chant.

Enzo Fernandez has since taken to his Instagram page to apologize for getting involved in the racial chant, while Chelsea have condemned the incident as they also announced that internal disciplinary action will be taken against the Argentine.

Fernandez, who is currently on break after helping Argentina to win the 2024 Copa America, is expected to link up with Chelsea in the United States this summer.

Ahead of his expected arrival to the club’s pre-season camp, coach Enzo Maresca and Reece James stressed that they have discussed with Fernandez alongside the Chelsea players involved in the backlash against the 23-year-old Argentine midfielder.

Maresca said: “I don’t think so. They are all human beings. I don’t think there are any bad intentions from any of them.

“I don’t think when Enzo is back that we will have any situations. Enzo clarified the situation, the club is the same, so there is nothing to add. They are not bad persons or human beings.

“It can happen but I don’t think there are any problems at all. I spoke with Enzo and all of them.”

James added: “It’s a difficult situation and Enzo has acknowledged he was wrong and quickly put his hand up to apologise to the club, team and people offended.

“Enzo hasn’t arrived yet. I will have to make that judgement [on whether to get involved] when he does. I hope everyone can move forward with the situation.

“I’ve spoken to Enzo and everyone involved but the conversations have to stay in-house.”