The French soccer federation has taken a stand against what it deems as 'racist and discriminatory remarks' made by Argentina players following the Copa America final. The incident occurred after Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Colombia on Sunday. A video shared on Instagram by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez captured the players seemingly chanting derogatory remarks about French players with African heritage.
Notably, similar chants were heard prior to the World Cup final between France and Argentina two years ago, which Argentina ultimately won. The chants, reportedly also echoed by some Argentina fans, specifically target France players of African descent who hold French citizenship.
In response to the offensive behavior, the French soccer federation has decided to take legal action. In a statement released on Tuesday, the federation expressed its deep concern over the remarks, labeling them as 'shocking' and 'contrary to the values of sport and human rights.' The federation's president has reached out to the Argentinian counterpart and FIFA directly to file a formal complaint regarding the racist and discriminatory nature of the chants.
The federation's president, Philippe Diallo, strongly condemned the offensive remarks made against the French players, emphasizing the need to address racism and discrimination in soccer. As part of its commitment to combating racism in the sport, the French Football Federation has established a new task force to tackle such issues head-on.
These recent events underscore the ongoing challenges faced in the fight against racism in soccer and highlight the importance of promoting inclusivity and respect within the sport. The French soccer federation's proactive response serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to uphold the principles of equality and fair play in the world of football.
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