Argentina’s Copa America Celebration Under Fire: Rodrigo De Paul Addresses Racism Allegations

Argentina’s celebrations following their Copa America win have been overshadowed by allegations of racism. A video posted on Enzo Fernandez’s Instagram, showing players singing a controversial song, has sparked outrage. The France Football Association (FFF) has condemned the video and called for responses from FIFA and the Argentina Football Association.

Messi’s Role and De Paul’s Response

Rodrigo De Paul, a member of the winning squad, defended Lionel Messi, who was not seen in the video. De Paul stated that Messi instructed the team not to taunt the opposition and to focus on celebrating their victory. De Paul criticized the scrutiny, suggesting that it aimed to undermine Argentina’s achievement.

Controversy and Reactions

The video in question features players singing derogatory lyrics about French players’ backgrounds. The FFF has condemned the video, with President Philippe Diallo demanding action from FIFA and the Argentine FA. Wesley Fofana, a French player, labeled the video as “uninhibited racism.”

Enzo Fernandez’s father defended his son, suggesting that the incident was a misunderstanding and not a reflection of racism. He compared it to past instances of mockery faced by Argentina without similar backlash.

De Paul and Fernandez’s father argue that the reaction to the video is excessive and attempts to misrepresent the intent behind the celebration.