Racist Incidents Continue Ugly Run for Soccer
Multiple Instances What Was Supposed to Be Superb Summer

What should be the pinnacle of a soccer summer has taken a downward turn due to soccer racism incidents. First, in soccer news, there was a frightening scene outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens (FL) before the Copa America 2024 Final on Sunday. Now, there have been two ugly incidents involving racism, an issue that has troubled the sport for years.
First, an Argentine soccer player, Enzo Fernandez, was seen on video singing an unacceptable song about French players following his team’s win in the EURO final on Sunday.

Here is Enzo Fernandez and Argentina players celebrating that Copa America win by singing that racist France chant from the 2022 World Cup pic.twitter.com/pxoaX2MApE
— GC (@ValverdeSZN) July 15, 2024
In a twisted reaction, Wesley Fofana is dealing with more racism for speaking out against his Chelsea teammate partaking in a transphobic and racist chant.
Le football en 2024 : racisme décomplexé 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/MGkH5wPmNU
— Wesley Fofana (@Wesley_Fofana3) July 16, 2024
The French Football Federation plans to sue the Argentine Football Federation in its aftermath.
“Given the seriousness of these shocking remarks, which are contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the FFF president has decided to contact its Argentinian counterpart and FIFA directly to file a legal complaint for racist and discriminatory remarks” the French federation said in a statement. “The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable racist and discriminatory remarks made against the players of the France team as part of a song sung by players and supporters of the Argentina team.”
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: The French Football Federation is suing the Argentine Football Federation over ‘racial and discriminatory remarks’ sung by the supporters and by the team. 🇫🇷🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/KkHoqhy8AV
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 16, 2024
Fernandez offered an apology after being harshly criticized.
“I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations” he posted. “The song includes highly offensive language and there is no excuse for these words. … I am truly sorry”
— Enzo Fernández (@IEnzofernandez8) July 16, 2024
Sorry won’t be good enough when Fernandez comes face-to-face with his Chelsea teammate.
Another Racist Issue
Premier League Team Wolves planned to submit a complaint after an Italian League player referred to South Korean forward Hee Chan Hwang as “Jackie Chan”
The incident occurred midway through the second half of a match. Daniel Podence punched a Como opponent. The Wolves considered walking off the pitch after the referee gave Podence a red card. However, Hwang wanted the Wolves to play with 10 men. They won, 1-0. “Channy heard a racist remark which is really disappointing” Wolves manager, Gary O’Neil, said.
“I spoke to Channy about it, checked whether he wanted to take the team off or come off himself, but he was keen the team carried on and got the work they needed. He knew it was a pre-season trip and he wanted the lads to work and get their minutes, even though he’d suffered something hugely offensive”
Rather than accept responsibility and chastise their unidentified player, Como defended him. “Our club does not tolerate racism and condemns all forms of it in the strongest possible way” Mirwan Suwarso, official representative of Como’s ownership group, said Tuesday.
“We spoke to the defender in question to understand what was said. He has told us the comment he made, to his co-defender, was ‘ignore him, he thinks he’s Jackie Chan.’ Having spoken to our player at length, we are confident this was in reference to the player’s name, and to the constant references of ‘Channy’ made by his own teammates on the pitch.”
Another Copa Incident
These soccer racism incidents happened after an occurrence in a Copa contest between Canada and Argentina. Canada’s Moise Bombito faced racist abuse online after he made a tackle on Messi in a June 20 match that also made soccer news.
“Canada Soccer is aware of and deeply disturbed by racist comments made online and directed at one of our men’s national team players following tonight’s game” a statement said. “Currently we are in communication with CONCACAF and CONMEBOL about this matter” CONCACAF said it was investigating.
“We are now working with the federation and with our colleagues at CONMEBOL and FIFA to seek ways to investigate the accounts which posted racist material. We will continue to use our reach to promote unity and respect.”
This disturbing pattern of soccer racism incidents has troubled the sport for years. The time to end it has long passed. It must cease now.