REECE JAMES has admitted Enzo Fernandez’s return to the Chelsea squad on Monday could cause a “problem”.
The Argentina midfielder will join his Blues teammates in America ahead of their game against Manchester City – seeing them for the first time since sparking a racism storm.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and captain Reece James respond to the recent Enzo Fernandez chant controversy
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Fernandez remains under internal investigation after filming himself and international teammates chanting a racist and homophobic song about France’s black players as they celebrated winning the Copa America.
Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana called out the club record signing’s “uninhibited racism” and while new manager Enzo Maresca said he is confident everything will be fine, captain James conceded they will not know until Fernandez arrives.
Asked if the incident could impact the changing room, James said: “Of course.
“There’s always the factor where it doesn’t sit right with people when there could be a problem.
“But until the day comes where everyone’s together and in a room together, I don’t know, but I hope things can be resolved smoothly and we can move forward with the season.”
Speaking to ESPN, James added: “I spoke to him a bit, but it was hard because we were in different time zones.
“Just a general chat really. His views on what happened and him trying to explain his situation and how things happened.
“It’s a really difficult situation. There’s no room for racism or discrimination in football.
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Eddie Beach, Lucas Bergstrom.
Defenders: Reece James, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia.
Midfielders: Lesley Ugochukwu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Andrey Santos.
Forwards: Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Armando Broja, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Angelo.
Rested: Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer.
Reported injured: Petrovic
Left out: Trevoh Chalobah, Alfie Gilchrist, Malang Sarr, Cesare Casadei, Leo Castledine, Deivid Washington, Diego Moreira, Omari Kellyman, Caleb Wiley, Tino Anjorin, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mason Burstow, David Datro Fofana, Bashir Humphreys, Romelu Lukaku, Alex Matos, Gabriel Slonina, Harvey Vale, Dujuan Richards, Kiano Dyer, Billy Gee, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Zak Sturge, Jimi Tauriainen, Travis Akomeah, Ato Ampah, Somto Boniface, Luke Campbell, Brodi Hughes, Harrison McMahon, Donnell McNeilly, Leo Cardoso, Max Merrick, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Richard Olise, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Frankie Runham, Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Ronnie Stutter, Shaun Wade, Kaiden Wilson.
“I think he quickly put his hand up and acknowledged he’d done wrong and apologised to his team-mates, the club and the rest of the people that were offended.
“I think that was probably the best he could have done in that situation.”
Despite James’ claims, manager Maresca is hopeful there will not be a clash in the dressing room.
Ahead of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Wrexham earlier this week, he said: “It is quite easy in terms of the player did a statement, apologised and the club did the same.
“At the end, they are all human beings, I don’t think there are any bad intentions from any one of them.
“When Enzo is back, I don’t think we will have any problems, the player already clarified the situation and the club did the same. There is nothing to add, he is not a bad person or human being. It can happen.”
Argentine president Javier Milei flew to France this week for talks with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in the hope of diffusing the situation ahead of the Olympics.
Fernandez has issued an apology following the incident.
He took to social media to write: “I want to apologise sincerely for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.
“The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.
“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
“That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”
