By Milcah Tanimu

Javier Mascherano, head coach of Argentina’s Olympic football team, has come to the defense of Enzo Fernandez and the Argentine national team amidst controversy over a racially-charged chant directed at the France national team.

Following a viral video showing Argentine players singing discriminatory remarks about France, the incident has drawn widespread condemnation and investigations from FIFA and the French Football Federation. Chelsea FC also disciplined Fernandez, who apologized via social media.

Mascherano argued that the chant was “taken out of context,” emphasizing that Argentina is not a racist nation and is known for its inclusivity towards people from diverse backgrounds. He described Fernandez as a person of good character and suggested that cultural differences might have led to misinterpretations of the incident.

The coach highlighted Fernandez’s apology and urged for understanding of cultural nuances in such situations, suggesting that the incident may have been blown out of proportion.

Mascherano’s comments reflect efforts to mitigate fallout from the controversy, as Argentina prepares for the 2024 Olympics amid scrutiny over the team’s conduct.