Enzo Maresca defendes Enzo Fernández over racist chant video

Footage of Fernández and his Argentina teammates singing a racist chant went viral

Teammate Wesley Fofana described the chant as “uninhibited racism” while French members of the Premier League side unfollowed him on Instagram.

The World Cup and Copa America winner was then involved in further controversy during his return to boyhood club River Plate as the entire stadium began to sing the chant while he was paraded around.

Maresca defends Fernández over video

Although there has been plenty of backlash online there have still been some people who have come out in support of Fernández.

High-profile figures in his native Argentina and Blues teammate Nicolas Jackson have defended him however and when asked about the viral video, Chelsea boss Maresca refused to blame the 23-year-old, insisting that the matter had been dealt with.

He said: "I think it’s quite easy in terms of the player did a statement apologising, the club did the same.

"I don’t think there’s something to add in terms of this situation, it’s already clear and clarified."

Asked if Fernández's return would cause problems for the squad, he added: "I don’t think so, to be honest.

"In the end they are all human beings. I don’t think there is any bad intention from any one of them.

"So, I don’t think when Enzo comes back, we’ll have any kind of problem.

"As I said, the player already clarified the situation, the club did the same, there is nothing to add and once again, I think they are not bad persons or human beings, it can happen, but I don’t think it’s any problem at all.

"I spoke with Enzo, I spoke with all of them, as I said, the player already did a statement apologising, so it’s quite clear."

'It's a difficult situation'

Reece James was alongside Maresca for media duty while on their pre-season tour of the US and he revealed that he had spoken to the midfielder.

"It’s obviously a really difficult situation," he said.

"I think Enzo acknowledged he did wrong and quickly put his hand up and apologised to the club, the team and the people offended.

"He hasn’t arrived yet, so I don’t know if there’s anything to amend. I’ll have to make that judgement when he comes back in.

"But I hope everyone will be on the same page and can kind of move forward from this situation."

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