Manchester City Fans Taunt Chelsea Captain Over Racism Issue

In a surprising move ahead of his first competitive match, Chelsea's new manager Enzo Maresca has appointed Enzo Fernandez as captain, despite the midfielder's involvement in a racism controversy earlier this summer. Fernandez, along with his Argentina teammates, faced backlash for singing an offensive chant that targeted French players' heritage during their Copa America celebrations. The incident drew condemnation from the French Football Federation, which labeled the video as "racist and discriminatory." Maresca defended his decision to name Fernandez captain, stating that the racism issue had been addressed internally and that Fernandez is well-liked by his teammates. Social media reactions have been mixed, with some fans expressing confusion over the decision, questioning the lack of consequences for Fernandez following the scandal. Despite the backlash, Fernandez has taken steps to make amends, pledging a significant donation to an anti-discrimination charity. During Chelsea's match against Manchester City, Fernandez faced taunts from City fans referencing the controversy. The situation escalated as City’s Erling Haaland scored, but the focus remained on Fernandez, who had previously issued a public apology for the offensive song. He expressed regret for any hurt caused, emphasizing that he did not intend to offend anyone and that he is not a racist. As Chelsea navigates this complex situation, the club's handling of Fernandez's captaincy will be closely scrutinized by fans and commentators alike.