Lionel Messi request results in Argentine politician being fired as deputy sports minister urges Inter Miami star to apologise for 'racist' chant aimed at Kylian Mbappe & France stars

Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez went live on Instagram after Argentina's Copa America triumph over Colombia, where he and some team-mates sang a discriminatory song that questioned the heritage of Kylian Mbappe and his French compatriots. Subsequently, minister Julio Garro said Messi - who was not involved in the chant - should: "Come out and offer the appropriate apologies, as should the Argentine Football Federation president [Claudio Tapia]." Hours after he spoke to radio station Urbana Play, Argentina president Javier Milei sacked him.

On his social media page, the president wrote: “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.”

Although Fernandez apologised for posting the video and engaging in the chant, Chelsea have launched disciplinary proceedings against him. The French Football Federation has complained about this to FIFA and is considering legal action, while Chelsea's Wesley Fofana posted the video on social media and wrote: "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism."

Chelsea have begun their pre-season campaign and head out to the United States next week. Fernandez and other team-mates are expected to join later in the tour, and it remains to be seen what action will be taken against him and Argentina.