ENZO Fernández has opened up on the racist incident he was involved in after winning the Copa America with Argentina.
The Chelsea midfielder was filmed heartily joining in with dreadful songs alongside his Argentina team-mates, questioning the heritage of black French players.
This, understandably, left the French contingent of the Chelsea team, including Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi, unimpressed.
Now, though, for the first time, Fernandez has opened up on the incident and not only the harm he caused his teammates at the time, but how it made his relationship with them stronger.
The midfielder told Ben Jacobs of GiveMeSport: “It was a really hard time for me personally, and I suffered during it.
“What happened is not typical of who I am.
“I’ve always understood my teammates’ position, so the first thing I did was phone them and tell them I wasn’t going to go on holiday because I wanted to travel back and speak to them in person, to show them what sort of guy I am and of my values.
“They understood that, and now we all get on well.
“It all fizzled out, and now there is very good harmony in the dressing room.”
After the incident, Fernandez donated to an anti-discrimination charity and apologised profusely to his teammates.
The club claimed they would use the episode as an opportunity to “re-educate” their player.
The 24-year-old claimed his mistake actually ended up bringing him closer to the squad, adding: “Yes, absolutely (it strengthened our relationship).
“It was a tough time, but my teammates understood me.
“It was a euphoric moment in which I didn’t want to hurt anyone.
“It was just a song that we sing in Argentina as part of ‘football folklore’, which is what we call it.
“It was a really difficult time for me, and I tried to apologise to the squad. To show my teammates I’m not that kind of person, to judge or discriminate against others.
“They understood my message, and that’s where it all ended.”
“I called them while I was on holiday. I cut my holiday short and travelled to America, where the team was having pre-season.
“The first thing I did was apologise to them in person.”
New head coach at the time, Enzo Maresca, remarkably backed his man by making him captain for the opening Premier League game of the season against Manchester City.
Fernandez has since become a much-loved figure in the Chelsea squad, not only by his teammates, but by the fans as well, and he has become a vocal figure on the pitch, entrusted with the vice-captaincy behind Reece James.
“The club has always shown faith in me, and I’m grateful for that.
“I was given the captain’s armband at a tough time, but that says a lot about me and what I mean to the club and my teammates.
“Regardless of what happened, their support was unwavering and they showed their faith in me, so I’m ever so grateful for that.”
“Now it’s really good, I have a very good relationship with them (The French players)
“We often eat together and do things outside of the dressing room.
“When we have team dinners or are in the dressing room, everything is normal.
“Nothing else happened because they know what I’m like as a person.”
