ENZO FERNANDEZ has been named Chelsea captain for their Premier League opener against Manchester City.
It comes after the midfielder filmed himself singing a racist chant aimed at French players following Argentina’s Copa America victory this summer.
Enzo Maresca backed the player in an interview with Sky Sports, saying: “He’s one of the captains. He’s not the only captain. But he is the captain today.
“I can see the team-mates, they like him as a player and as a man. All of us sometimes do some mistakes. The important thing is to recognise and it’s finished.”
In another massive show of support for Fernandez from the club, the Argentine midfielder was made the club’s cover star on their match day programme.
The midfielder’s Chelsea future had appeared to be in doubt, with several of his team-mates publicly criticising him following the video.
Responding to Fernandez singing the vile chant, Chelsea and France centre-back Wesly Fofana quoted the video on X and said: “Football in 2024, uninhibited racism.”
Chelsea striker David Datro-Fofana also took to Instagram to say: “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 involved in this sport.”
Several Chelsea stars also unfollowed Fernandez on social media.
The incident was said to have caused serious disruption to Chelsea’s pre-season.
But after a meeting between manager Enzo Maresca, Fernandez, Fofana, Reece James and Axel Disasi, the player was forgiven for his actions.
Fofana declared the incident over when he said: “It’s simple.
“He arrived on Monday and we talked with the manager. We talked together.
ENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.
“I explained why I didn’t like the video. He explained, he said sorry because he did not want to hurt French fans or anyone.
“He did not understand when singing it. He did not understand. And I trust him.
“Because I know him. I know he is not racist. The act, I felt a little bit upset. But now, it is done. It is finished.
“We play for the same club and badge and train together. Now I understand him. He understands me. Everybody is happy.”
Fernandez later took to Instagram to to apologise for his actions 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.”
Fernandez also made a donation to an anti-discrimination charity.
As such, Chelsea considered the matter resolved and took no action against the player.
Maresca has now gone a step further by making Fernandez the club’s on-field captain for today’s match.
He has been appointed the club’s vice-captain, and will take over Reece James’ role as captain when he is not available through suspension or injury.
