What was supposed to be a tribute to a Copa America-winner on Sunday night at the Monumental showed what may be the beginning of a worrying trend. As Enzo Fernandez received the acclaim of the River Plate fans, the racist song about the French national team was heard in the stands.

Fernandez sent out a live stream showing himself singing it during Argentina’s Copa America celebrations, which saw French teammates Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto unfollow him, post about the incident and eventually the opening of a disciplinary investigation from Chelsea. ‘Corran La Bola’ was heard as Fernandez greeted the fans in Buenos Aires, on his return to his boyhood club.

RECONOCIMIENTO Y OVACIÓN PARA ENZO FERNÁNDEZ

El volante Campeón de América recibió un homenaje de River en el Monumental #LPFxTNTSports pic.twitter.com/ryz1hTUWob

— TNT Sports Argentina (@TNTSportsAR) July 21, 2024

The incident has reached Spanish football too. Barcelona defender Jules Kounde criticised Fernandez, sticking up for his French teammates, while Rodrigo de Paul also defended his compatriot – the Atletico Madrid midfielder claimed that it was a football song, and people had to understand the setting.

As the controversy of the chant sung by Enzo Fernandez and other Argentina players against French players continues, River Plate (Enzo’s boyhood club) fans are now singing it at their home ground El Monumental during their game against Lanus. pic.twitter.com/H1zK0PMd97

— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) July 21, 2024

De Paul will return to Atletico in August, at which point he will be joining up with two French teammates in Antoine Griezmann and Thomas Lemar.

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