France legend Hugo Lloris criticises 'racially offensive' Fernandez video, hopeful people 'will learn from it'
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Published 18/07/2024 at 12:32 GMT+1
Hugo Lloris has joined the chorus of players and governing bodies to denounce the video posted by Enzo Fernandez following Argentina's Copa America win over Colombia. The French goalkeeper called it "a proper attack" and urged the Argentina squad to consider their responsibilities as one of the leaders in international football. Javier Mascherano, however, defended the controversial clip.
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Hugo Lloris has hit out at the video of Argentina players singing what the French Football Federation insists is a “racially offensive and discriminatory” song, describing it as a “proper attack” on his nation but added that he was hopeful that it was just a mistake and at the least people "will learn from it".
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez apologised on Wednesday for posting the livestream on Instagram in the aftermath of his nation's Copa America final victory over Colombia.
The former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper was in goal for France when they lost the 2022 World Cup final to Argentina, and the tournament when the chant was first sung by supporters.
Both Chelsea and FIFA have launched investigations into the video, which Lloris says he hopes was “a mistake”.
"It doesn't matter if you are in a moment of euphoria because you have won an important trophy. It demands even more responsibility when you are a winner,” said Lloris, via the BBC.
"It was a proper attack about the French people, especially for the French people who have some African origin and family.
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"I just think and hope it is a mistake. We all make mistakes sometimes and hopefully they will learn from it."
The FFF declared that they would take legal action against Argentina, while Chelsea teammate Wesley Fofana described it as “uninhibited racism”.
And even though Fernandez said there was “no excuse” for the offensive lyrics in a subsequent Instagram story, Lloris urged the squad to take their place at the centre of world football into account.
Lloris said: "[Argentina] are the face of football right now, in South America, in the world. They deserve a lot of credit for what they have done on the field for the last four or five years.
"But when you win, you are an example for others, especially kids. You don't want to hear or see this kind of thing in football. We all stand against discrimination and racism."
Argentina Under-23 boss Javier Mascherano took a different opinion on the matter, insisting that cultural differences should be considered.
The former Liverpool and Barcelona star argued in an interview with Ole that the song had been “taken out of context” and that Fernandez is a “great guy”.
"If there is something that we Argentines are not, it is racists, far from it. Everything has been taken out of context," insisted Mascherano.
"If there is something that we are as a country, it is totally inclusive. In Argentina, people from all over the world live and we treat them as they should be treated.
"I know Enzo. He's a great guy and he has no problem with that. You have to understand the culture of each country and know that sometimes what we perceive as a joke can be misinterpreted in other places."
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