Enzo Fernandez issues apology to Chelsea players on first day back in training

Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi among French players in Chelsea’s squad to unfollow Argentine after video showed him engaged in racist chant

Enzo Fernandez issued an immediate apology to his Chelsea team-mates upon his arrival on the club’s pre-season tour, and has volunteered to make a significant donation to an anti-discrimination charity following his involvement in the Argentina race storm.
Fernandez linked up with the Chelsea squad in Atlanta on Monday and is understood to have swiftly apologised in person for the social media video, which showed Argentina’s players singing a racist and homophobic chant about the France side.
As revealed by Telegraph Sport earlier this month, Fernandez had already said sorry to the Chelsea team but this was his first chance to do so in front of the squad, as he looks to heal the rift he created with the club’s French players.
Chelsea’s key decision-makers have been so impressed by Fernandez’s response to the situation that they have decided to match his charitable contribution through their foundation, in what is thought to be an unprecedented move by the club.
Captain Reece James and French defender Axel Disasi have been heavily involved in the consultation process with the Chelsea squad in recent days. Disasi was among the French players who unfollowed Fernandez on social media in the aftermath of the video, which fellow Frenchman Wesley Fofana described as showing “uninhibited racism”.
In an interview with ESPN last week, James had admitted the controversy surrounding Fernandez could cause a “problem” within the Chelsea squad but said he would not know until all the players were “in a room together”.
Now that Fernandez is back with the squad, Chelsea’s hope is that the matter is considered closed by the players. The Argentina international is still facing a Fifa investigation.
The Fernandez situation has presented the first significant challenge for new head coach Enzo Maresca, who is trying to impose his methods on the Chelsea squad during their tour of the United States.
Asked about the Fernandez rift last week, Maresca said: “They are all human beings. I don’t think there are any bad intentions from any of them.
“I don’t think, when Enzo is back, that we will have any situations. Enzo clarified the situation, the club the same, so there is nothing to add. They are not bad persons or human beings.
“It can happen but I don’t think there are any problems at all. I spoke with Enzo and all of them.”
So far it has been a challenging pre-season for Chelsea, who drew 2-2 with Wrexham last week before losing 4-1 to Celtic on Saturday. Their next friendly match is against Club America in the early hours of Thursday morning (UK time).