Argentina have dismissed Julio Garro, the country’s deputy sports minister for suggesting that Lionel Messi should tender an apology over racist chants sung by his teammates against France.
Players of La Albiceleste, particularly Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez, have come under the spotlight for singing a racist and homophobic song aimed at players of France.
It came to the fore following a live video made by Fernandez which has circulated across social media and the chants included the words which read:
“They play for France, but their parents are from Angola. Their mother is from Cameroon, while their father is from Nigeria. But their passport says, French.”
Argentine players were seen loosely making those chants while on their team bus after the nation’s 2024 Copa America triumph.
There have been calls for Messi to apologize over the chants, a move that the Inter Miami man hasn’t made thus far.
Lionel Messi Should Issue An Apology Over The Racist Chants – Erstwhile Argentina Deputy Sports Minister, Julio Garro
Recently fired deputy sports minister Garro, was also questioned on the matter and he subsequently gave his thoughts which backfired.
Julio Garro suggested on radio station Urbana Play that Lionel Messi should apologize for his teammates’ actions.
He said: “I think [Messi] should come out and offer the appropriate apologies, as should the Argentine Football Federation president [Claudio Tapia].”
Julio Garro further expressed that the incident “leaves Argentina looking bad as a country” and that it would be good to “make an example out of this”.
Hours later, Garro was relieved of his role as the deputy sports minister by the president of Argentina, Javier Milei.
Julio Garro
Julio Garro was born in La Plata, Argentina on February 12, 1972, and he is 52 years old.
The Argentine had his tertiary education at the Catholic University of La Plata and he has previously served as Provincial Deputy of Buenos Aires between 2009 – 2013 and Mayor of La Plata between 2015 – 2023.
Statement From The President Office Of Argentina, Dismissing Deputy Sports Minister Julio Garro
A statement from the president’s office on social media disclosed the reason for the decision to dismiss Garro.
It read: “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.”
Enzo Fernandez Tenders Apology Over Racist Chants
Enzo Fernandez, who is understood to be under investigation by Chelsea, has since taken to social media to apologize over the incident.
Fernandez wrote: “I want to apologize 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 apologize 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.”
Enzo Fernandez has since received mixed reactions from his colleagues, with some bashing him for his actions, while others feel he was just caught up in the moment and didn’t intend to racially abuse anyone.
Argentina’s Vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, Defends Enzo Fernandez
Anyway, Argentina’s vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, has come to the defense of Fernandez on X (formerly known as Twitter) by tagging France a “colonialist” nation.
She wrote: “No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a song on the pitch or for telling the truths they don’t want to admit.”
Victoria added that Argentina is a “sovereign and free country” that has never imposed their manner of living on anyone.
The vice president shared: “Argentina is a sovereign and free country. We never had colonies or second-class citizens. We have never imposed our way of life on anyone.
“But neither will we tolerate that they do it to us . . . Enzo I support you, Messi, thanks for everything! Argentinians always hold your head up high.”
