“Argentines, if there’s one thing we’re not, it’s racists, far from that,” he said at Argentina’s pre-Olympic training base in north-western France.

The chants were heard during a live video posted on social media by Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez from the team bus, in the wake of the Copa victory over Colombia in Miami on July 14.

“I know Enzo, he’s a great guy. He doesn’t have any problems like that,” insisted Mascherano.

“Often, as part of a celebration, you can take part of a video and take it out of context.

“If there’s one thing we are as a country, it’s a totally inclusive country. People from all over the world live in Argentina and we treat them as they should be treated.”

Fifa said earlier on July 17 it was opening an investigation into the chant, which dates back to the 2022 World Cup final after Argentina beat France.

“Fifa strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials,” said a spokesman for world football’s governing body.

The song targets France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe – who has African roots – and includes homophobic insults.

Chelsea have on their part launched an internal disciplinary procedure against Fernandez over the incident.

Mascherano also spoke of a “cultural” misunderstanding.

“Sometimes you have to understand the culture of each country, and sometimes what we perceive as a joke can be misinterpreted elsewhere,” he said.

“Enzo also made it known on social media that he apologised. Sometimes people try to make things much bigger than they are.”

Racism is a serious issue in football and in a separate incident, a Spanish court has on July 17 handed down an eight-month suspended jail term to a person for online racist abuse targeting Real Madrid’s black players Vinicius Junior and Antonio Rudiger.

Real said the individual “acting under various pseudonyms on the digital forum of the Marca newspaper, directed serious racist attacks and insults against our players”.

“The court ordered the accused to serve eight months in prison and not to participate in the above-mentioned forum for 20 months,” the club said.

The accused was found guilty of two offences against Brazilian Vinicius and Rudiger, both aggravated by the fact that they acted with racist motives and, in the case of the German defender, also in contempt of his religion.

The suspended prison sentence was made conditional on the defendant’s participation in a non-discrimination programme.

Real also pointed out that it was the second criminal conviction for racist insults against their players.

On June 10, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months for racist insults targeting Vinicius in May 2023.

–AFP

On Tuesday the FFF said it would file a complaint to world governing body Fifa over the video featuring a song sung by some of the Argentina squad about France’s black players.

Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, posted an image of the video on Instagram, describing it as “uninhibited racism”.

Fernandez – a £107m British record signing in February 2023 – said he is “truly sorry” for the video he posted as Argentina celebrated winning the Copa America.

Fifa is also investigating the video, in which several members of the Argentina squad take part in a song originally sung by Argentina fans questioning the heritage of France’s black and mixed race players.

Chelsea have seven France players who are black or mixed race in their first-team squad – Fofana, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto and Malang Sarr.

“The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words,” said Fernandez.

“I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.

“That video, that moments, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character.”

A Chelsea statement read: “We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.

“The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”

The FFF will contact the Argentine Football Association (AFA) about the live video posted on social media by Fernandez after Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the Copa America final on Sunday.

A statement from the FFF, external said president Philippe Diallo “condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable and discriminatory remarks that were made against the players of the French team”.

It added: “Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly appeal to his Argentine counterpart and Fifa and to file a legal complaint for racially offensive and discriminatory remarks.”

The Argentine FA has been approached for comment.

France beat Argentina in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup, and Argentina beat France in the final of the 2022 World Cup.

A Fifa spokesperson said they were “aware of a video circulating on social media” and “the incident is being looked into”.

They added: “Fifa strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials.”

Chelsea said they find “all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable”.

They added: “We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.”

‘These acts have no place in football’

Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate David Datro Fofana urged action by everyone in football in the “fight” against racism.

“The football that I like is multi-ethnic,” posted the Ivorian forward on Instagram.

“Racism in all its forms should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. These acts have no place in football or even anywhere else.

“This fight really needs to be taken seriously be everyone in this sport.”

Fofana is currently training with Chelsea after his loan spell with Burnley last season, while fellow Blues striker Nicolas Jackson has also published a post on Instagram in support of Fernandez.

Jackson’s post showed the Argentina midfielder playing with a young black child during the club’s pre-season US tour last year.

Former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano, who is the coach of the nation’s Olympic football team, said the video was “taken out of context” and his country is “totally inclusive”. The 40-year-old, whose side will play at this summer’s Games in Paris, also said Fernandez is a “great guy”.

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, meanwhile, said the video is “unacceptable”.

“We stand with and show our full support to Wesley Fofana after he responded publicly and brought it to wider attention,” it added.

“Several players are seen singing the song, which means there will be a wider impact on team-mates and fans at other clubs.

“We call upon all relevant clubs, the Argentina federation and Fifa to address this concerning issue with empathy, sensitivity and understanding.

“Responses to these incidents cannot start and end with an apology. More important is the action taken afterwards to ensure players are educated and held accountable, both in England and on a global scale.”

Those comments were echoed by fellow anti-discrimination organisation Show Racism the Red Card, which said “words are not enough”.

“The racism by the Argentina players is abhorrent, disgraceful and, to record it on social media, it’s unbelievable to think it was amusing or even they would get away with it,” said chief executive Ged Grebby.

“It’s good they haven’t but we want to see action taken, rather than players saying just they are sorry. That’s not good enough.

“The damage has been done. Not just to black players in the Premier League but black players in our society.

“Words are not enough and if Chelsea are serious about anti-racism education we urge them to contact Show Racism the Red Card and get this player to come and work with us in schools.

“It would make a huge impact. Rather than banning this player for whatever number of games, let’s get him involved in an anti-racism programme, a positive programme, with Show Racism the Red Card.”

-BBC

The so-called “triple crown” arrived in Argentina last weekend. After defeating Colombia and being crowned champion of the 2024 Copa América, they completed a spectacular three-year run, having won the same continental tournament in 2021 and, of course, the World Cup in 2022.

However, it wasn’t until extra time that Nerazurri forward Lautaro Martínez sent the ball into the back of the net at the Hard Rock Stadium. He secured his position as the top scorer with five goals, delivering Argentina their sixteenth South American title.

But the celebrations got out of hand, especially among the younger members of the Argentine squad. Since Monday, a viral video has been circulating on social media, showing Argentine players, with midfielder Enzo prominently featured, singing.

This wouldn’t typically be an issue, except that during their Copa América victory celebration on the bus, the song they started singing was a chant with racist terms against the ‘Bleus’.

Many might wonder why they were chanting about France when their opponent in the Copa América was Colombia. The chant became popular among Argentine fans during the World Cup Final in December 2022, when Argentina faced France. The song contains highly discriminatory lyrics against people of African descent in France:

“Listen up, spread the word, they play in France, but they’re all from Angola.
How lovely it is, they’ll run, they’re trans-eaters like that faggot, Mbappé.
His mother is Nigerian, and his father is Cameroonian,
But on his ID, nationality: French.”

Following this controversial episode, criticism quickly emerged against the Argentine team. “Pathetic. These behaviors are unacceptable,” wrote French Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra on her X account. “FIFA: any reaction?” she concluded sarcastically.

She was not alone. Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, and Axel Disasi, teammates of Enzo Fernández at Chelsea, who posted the controversial video, harshly criticized the 23-year-old midfielder.

The trio of French defenders, with African roots, commented that it is “unacceptable” for incidents like this to happen in 2024. They unfollowed Enzo on social media, and a chaotic meeting is expected after the holidays, once the new 2024–2025 season starts at Stamford Bridge.

Aware of his mistake, the San Martín native apologized through his personal profile. “I want to apologize for the celebrations, those words do not reflect who I am.” Chelsea, while appreciating the gesture from their star midfielder, stated that they have “initiated an internal disciplinary procedure,” according to the club’s statement.

Now, it remains to be seen how the situation will progress. The French Football Federation (FFF) filed a complaint for racist statements on social media, as did SOS Racism. Later, FIFA and other organizations announced the “opening of an investigation,” which could possibly result in severe consequences for the recent Copa América champions. FIFA will definitely have its work cut out for it after the security problems and the conflict between Colombia and Uruguay that ended in a massive brawl.

-insidethegames

Lozano had been offered the chance to continue as an assistant until the 2026 World Cup before returning to the role of head coach until 2030 but the 45-year-old rejected the proposal, FMF added.

Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and the United States.

“Following the Copa America, the FMF has begun an analysis to determine mistakes, and successes and evaluate areas for improvement in the process,” it said in a statement.

“Jaime Lozano was offered a contract until 2030 in which, during the period 2024-2026, he will accompany a more experienced manager towards our World Cup.

“Lozano has informed us that he does not wish to continue. We respect his decision, we recognise his great professionalism, capacity and dedication.”

Lozano, who spent just one year in the job, led Mexico to the 2023 Gold Cup title and reached the CONCACAF Nations League final earlier this year, losing to the United States.

The former Mexico international posted 10 wins, four draws and seven defeats during his time in charge.

Reports in local media say Javier Aguirre will replace Lozano as Mexico manager for his third stint having coached the side at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups.

-Reuters

Having already secured the Copa America in 2021 and the World Cup in 2022, Argentina are on the cusp of a historic treble.

The only comparable achievement in international football is Spain’s back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, punctuated by a World Cup victory in 2010.

“We always try to play the same way,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.

“The DNA of this team is the same, and that is the most important thing. We will try to win the final. Our way of playing football will not change, but it is clear the final is always special.”

Colombia, on the other hand, are hoping to clinch their first Copa America title in 23 years, with their only title coming in 2001 when they were the hosts.

They made it to the final with a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, despite Daniel Munoz’s red card and carry a 28-match unbeaten streak into the final, with their last defeat dating back to February 2022 against Argentina.

“We know who our opponent is, but we need to be motivated and we need to understand that it’s a different match,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said.

“It’s a match that actually prevails over everything we’ve done, and we have this opportunity to enjoy it, and we have the opportunity against the world champions.”

James Rodriguez has been instrumental to Colombia’s success, breaking Messi’s record for the most assists in a single Copa America with six to his name.

“Nestor has found how to plan the team play around him, and he is a great player to have, but we never focus on a single player. We focus on the team,” Scaloni said about Rodriguez.

Argentina’s star forward Messi, who scored his first goal of the tournament in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Canada, will be seeking to add another title to his illustrious career after enduring defeats in his first four major finals (one World Cup, three Copa Americas) since 2007.

–Reuters

After Colombia sealed a 1-0 victory in Charlotte, North Carolina, videos on social media showed what appeared to be Uruguay players climbing into the stands and exchanging blows with opposition fans.

South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL said it is investigating the incident and that it strongly condemns any acts of violence that affect football.

“Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values,” CONMEBOL said.

“There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field.”

Uruguay’s Darwin Nunez and Ronald Araujo were among the players at the forefront of the melee. Captain Jose Maria Gimenez said the players were trying to defend their families.

“Let me say something before they cut you off because they won’t let us speak into the microphone, they don’t want me to say anything about what’s going on but this is a disaster,” Gimenez said on the official broadcast.

“Please be careful, our families are in the stands, there are little newborn babies. It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families.

“This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don’t know how to drink.”

Players and staff from both Colombia and Uruguay were also involved in a confrontation on the field after the final whistle.

“I thought that the incident ended with some argument on the midfield and when I saw that happening I went to the locker room,” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said in a press conference.

“I thought that they were thanking the fans for their support. But then I learned that there were some problems over there unfortunately.”

Jefferson Lerma’s first-half header gave Colombia a place in Sunday’s final while Uruguay will play Canada in the third-place playoff.

Argentina will face either Uruguay or Colombia in Sunday’s final in Florida, a match that could represent the last shot at silverware for several senior squad members including Messi, Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi.

“Let’s enjoy what we are experiencing as a national team, as a group. It is not easy to be in a final again, to compete again to be champions,” Messi told TyC Sports.

“I’m living it as I have been living everything lately: enjoying it very much and being aware, as it happens to Fideo (Di Maria) and Ota (Otamendi), that these are the last battles.”

Argentina have won a joint-record 15 Copa titles and reached the final six times in the past eight editions but Canada caused them real problems in the opening 20 minutes, Jacob Shaffelburg twice shooting wide from promising positions.

After soaking up the early pressure, though, Argentina went ahead when Rodrigo De Paul played through Alvarez, who ghosted in between two defenders to score with a tidy finish in the 22nd minute.

Argentina, 2022 World Cup winners and number one in FIFA’s rankings, gradually took control and Messi had a chance to double their lead in the 44th minute when he created space in the box with some silky footwork before lashing his effort wide.

Canada nearly snatched an equaliser against the run of play in first-half stoppage time as Jonathan David sneaked in ahead of his marker to get on the end of a long throw, but his close-range shot was hit straight at goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Messi had struggled with a muscle injury earlier in the tournament but appeared revitalised on a hot and humid evening at the MetLife Stadium.

He scored Argentina’s second in the 51st minute, sticking out a boot to divert Enzo Fernandez’s shot from the edge of the area past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

The goal moved Messi to joint fifth in the all-time Copa America scoring charts, level with Peru’s Paolo Guerrero and Chile’s Eduardo Vargas, on 14.

His 109th goal for Argentina also saw him surpass Iran’s Ali Daei to take sole possession of second place on the all-time international scoring charts. Messi trails only Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 130 goals for Portugal.

Despite their two-goal cushion, Argentina had a nervy finish to the match as Canada substitute Tani Oluwaseyi tested Martinez with a crisp shot in the 89th minute before directing a glancing header wide a minute later.

For Canada, the defeat ends a remarkable run in which they defied expectations and performed better than their higher-ranked CONCACAF rivals Mexico and the United States, their fellow co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup.

“They’re the best team in the world, but at the same time we had our chances in the beginning of the game,” midfielder Stephen Eustaquio told Canadian broadcaster TSN.

“If we scored one of our chances, the story of the game would probably have been different. To get here, the last four of the Copa America, it’s a big achievement.”

-Reuters

Suarez is Uruguay’s all-time top scorer with 68 international goals and although the 37-year-old has only come on as a late substitute in two games at the Copa America – totalling eight minutes so far – he is not one to complain.

“I’m enjoying every moment very much. It is something that at my age, as you get older, you enjoy it more and more whether you’re playing a lot or playing a little, because you know that the flame of football is dying out,” Suarez told AUF TV.

“I’m just one more (player in the squad), you’ve already seen it. Playing or not playing, I’m happy with the part I’m doing and trying to help as much as I can.”

Once one of the most-feared strikers in Europe, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone had described a crucial period in the 2020-21 title race as entering the “Luis Suarez zone”, when the striker’s experience guided them to their last league title.

But with Uruguay set to face Brazil in Saturday’s high-octane quarter-final, Suarez is placing his confidence in the young players coming through the ranks to get the job done.

“I hope it (the zone) doesn’t appear in this Copa because that would mean that Uruguay is doing well and that it’s not necessary. If it’s needed, we’ll be there because we hope to write another chapter in the national team,” he said.

“This group gave a very big blow in the World Cup qualifiers by beating Brazil and Argentina. They earned that power on the pitch by showing that they can beat anyone… The time has come to prove it and it’s a great test for us.”

Suarez has also been mentoring 25-year-old striker Darwin Nunez, who followed in his footsteps by signing for Premier League side Liverpool and has scored twice in the tournament.

“I try to help as much as I can, I was in Darwin’s place, I was Darwin’s age,” Suarez said.

“El ‘Loco’ (Sebastian Abreu) was the first to support me and today, being in that place, you have to be a motivation for him.”

-Reuters

Colombia, who have qualified for the quarter-finals, top Group D with six points after two matches, with Brazil in second on four points.

Costa Rica are third with one point and Paraguay, who are bottom with zero after two defeats, have been eliminated from the competition in the group stage for only the second time since 2001.

This victory marked Brazil’s first win in six competitive matches and their maiden competitive win under the management of Dorival Jr, who took charge of the team in January.

From the whistle, Vinicius’ pace and trickery posed a constant threat to Paraguay down the left flank, a far cry from his performance in Brazil’s 0-0 draw with Costa Rica in their opening group stage match, in which he was largely ineffectual.

Despite Brazil’s strong start, it was Paraguay who almost went ahead in the 15th minute as Damian Bobadilla’s goal-bound effort took a massive deflection off Eder Militao and nearly wrongfooted Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who showed quick reflexes to keep out the strike.

Brazil earned a 28th-minute penalty for a handball, which was fired wide by Lucas Paqueta, but the midfielder made up for his miss seven minutes later as he set up Vinicius with a first-time pass to cap off a flowing team move.

Girona winger Savio doubled Brazil’s advantage after pouncing on a rebound inside the box, before Vinicius stuck out a boot to divert a clearance from Omar Alderete into the net for his second goal of the night in first half stoppage time.

Paraguay got a goal back after the break as Alderete netted a superb long-range, but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed when Brazil were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute after a handball by Mathias Villasanti.

Despite his earlier miss, Paqueta stepped up and made no mistake at the second time of asking to send Brazil’s fans at the Allegiant Stadium into delirium.

Towards the end of the match, tempers flared and Andres Cubas was shown a red card after kicking out at Douglas Luiz, with Brazil using their man’s advantage to comfortably see out the game and clinch the three points.

“In particular the first half, up to the 40 minutes, it was very even,” Paraguay coach Daniel Garnero told reporters.

“I think we created some opportunities. Unfortunately, in the three minutes we got a bit distracted and they scored two goals that made a great difference in the result. And Vinicius is an elite player, no doubt about it.”

Brazil next face group leaders Colombia in California on Tuesday, where a draw would be enough to secure qualification for the quarter-finals.

Paraguay face Costa Rica, who retain a slim chance of progressing to the quarter-finals, in Texas.

-Reuters

Jose Fajardo netted the winner in the 83rd minute for Panama, who had Adalberto Carrasquilla dismissed five minutes later for a crunching challenge on Christian Pulisic.

The U.S. are second in the group, level with Panama on three points but with a better goal difference. The hosts must at least match Panama’s result in the final group game to advance to the knockout rounds.

The U.S. play Uruguay while Panama face Bolivia on Monday.

“Emotional rollercoaster, but that’s soccer at the end of the day,” U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams said.

“We know what we signed up for and playing in Copa America we knew it was going to be a fight. Credit to Panama. They did their job. They got the result.”

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said his team had executed the game plan perfectly.

“I’m very happy, in particular for the team, tactically and psychologically,” he added.

“I try to make the best decisions by being calm, level-minded. And of course, everyone that went in contributed what we expected from them, and now we have a victory such as this one.”

It was a costly night all round for the hosts, with goalkeeper Matt Turner being substituted at halftime with a leg injury after a collision with Panama defender Cesar Blackman in the 12th minute.

Weah was sent off after a video review showed he had shoved Roderick Miller in the back of the head off the ball amid a tense and fiery start to the match.

After Weah’s dismissal, Folarin Balogun delighted the crowd with a splendid strike from 17 yards to give the hosts the lead in the 22nd minute. However, the joy was shortlived as Blackman equalised from the edge of the box four minutes later.

“There were things before the red card that went against us,” Balogun said. “Of course, we probably could have had a few decisions, but that’s the nature of the game.”

Ethan Horvath replaced the injured Turner in the U.S. goal at the break and nearly faced a penalty in the 64th minute but the decision against U.S. defender Cameron Carter-Vickers was overturned by video review.

The best opportunity for the U.S. in the second half came in the 81st minute when a header by Ricardo Pepi was saved by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

Panama then seized the initiative, scoring the winning goal when substitute Fajardo smashed home Abdiel Ayarza’s cross.

“Moving forward, we need to control our emotions in certain situations,” Adams said. “I think the team fought for everything after we got the red card. You definitely can’t fault the effort.

“By winning the first game, we put still ourselves in a position that we can have everything to play for in the last game.”

Weah had apologised to the team after the match, he added.

“Just respect to the rest of the team because they fought for every single ball, every single duel, every single minute, and we still created chances after going down 10 men, so it shows our quality.”

-Reuters