Rodrigo De Paul Defends Teammate Enzo Fernandez Amid Social Media Unfollow Incident.

A significant controversy has erupted after a video surfaced showing Argentina national team players, recorded by Enzo Fernandez, singing a song allegedly containing racist content. This incident has triggered a series of reactions from football players, particularly those playing for Chelsea in England.

Wesley Fofana, a French defender for Chelsea, was among the first to address the issue. He shared the video on his X (formerly Twitter) account with the comment: “Is there still room for racism in football in 2024?” Fofana’s response quickly garnered attention and sparked a domino effect within the Chelsea squad.

Following this, several African-origin Chelsea players, including Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku, and Lesley Ugochukwu, unfollowed Enzo Fernandez, their Argentine teammate, on Instagram. This move was seen as a sign of protest and dissatisfaction with the behavior of the Argentine players.

Amid this tension, Rodrigo De Paul, a teammate of Enzo Fernandez in the Argentina national team, spoke out in defense of his compatriot. In an interview with OLGA, De Paul shared his views on handling the situation:

“I understand that those who have experienced racism may not appreciate it. But if any of Enzo’s teammates feel offended, they should call him to address it rather than posting on social media.

“I think there is malice in this matter; they are trying to turn these lyrics into something they are not. It’s strange, like attacking someone when they are vulnerable.

For me, unfollowing him on social media is pointless. You can call and say, ‘this is not okay, why don’t you post an apology?’ and the issue would be resolved.”

However, De Paul’s remarks are currently sparking much debate. Many believe his comments are inappropriate and do not address the core issue of racism. On Reddit, many criticize De Paul for not recognizing the severity of the racism problem.

A Reddit user commented: “If Cavani was banned for three matches due to a misunderstanding and cultural conflict, with nothing offensive, these players cannot just defend themselves by saying these racist lyrics are jokes.”

Another suggested: “The entire Argentina team should stop posting anything on social media. Keep silent completely. I’m surprised clubs don’t tell their players to turn off social media.”

This incident not only affects the relationships among Chelsea players but could also have long-term impacts on the Argentina national team. The recent Copa America 2024 victory by La Albiceleste is now overshadowed by the unfortunate controversies surrounding the team’s celebration.