ARGENTINA’S deputy sports minister has been sacked after saying Lionel Messi should apologise for the Argentina squad singing a racist and transphobic chant aimed at France.
Julio Garro was sacked within hours after making the comment on an Argentinian radio station.
Captain Messi was not even on the bus where the shocking incident took place.
Garro told Urbana Play: “I think [Messi] should come out and offer the appropriate apologies, as should the Argentine Football Federation president [Claudio Tapia].”
He added that the incident “leaves Argentina looking bad as a country” and that it would be good to “make an example out of this”.
It came after Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez went live on Instagram while leading the vile chant.
For his suggestion that Messi should apologise on behalf of his national team as club captain, Garro was fired from his post by Argentina‘s far-right president Javier Milei.
Milei’s official social media account stated: “The Office of the President states that no government has the right to tell the Argentine national team, world champions and double Copa America champions, or any other citizen, what to comment, what to think and what to do.
“That is why Julio Garro ceases to be the under-secretary of sport.”
Milei’s social media comment was followed up by Argentina’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel saying: “No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a song on the pitch or for telling the truths they don’t want to admit.
“Argentina is a sovereign and free country. We never had colonies or second-class citizens. We have never imposed our way of life on anyone.
“But neither will we tolerate that they do it to us . . . Enzo I support you, Messi, thanks for everything! Argentinians always hold your head up high.”
Villarruel’s comments come after the French FA threatened legal action against the Argentinian FA over the chant.
That followed Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate posting the video of Fernandez’s racist chant on X and saying: “Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.”
Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana also condemned the chant and said: “The football that I like is multi-ethnic.
“Racism in all its forms should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“These acts have no place in football or even anywhere else. This fight really needs to be taken seriously by everyone in this sport.”
Fernandez apologised for his role in leading the chant and said: “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.”
Chelsea broke their silence on the matter on Wednesday morning and said: “Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable.
“We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.
“We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.
“The Club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”
Several Chelsea players are said to have unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram in response to his racist and transphobic chant.
Chelsea’s pre-season training has already begun with Fernandez set to join up with the squad after the Blues’ pre-season tour of the US.
He is one of several players being given an extended break after the Copa America and European Championship tournaments.
He is contracted at the club until 2032, having joined from Benfica for £107million in 2023.
