Football-chant row: Argentina apologizes to France following Vice President's controversial comments

Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires issued an apology to France following comments made by Argentina's vice president accusing the European nation of colonialism and its people of hypocrisy during a dispute over alleged racist chants by Argentine footballers.

President Javier Milei's administration stated on Friday that a senior official had been dispatched to the French embassy to clarify that Victoria Villarruel's contentious remarks on social media were her personal views.

FIFA has initiated an investigation into chants by Argentine players, including Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea and Argentina, broadcast live on social media from their team bus after winning the Copa America. The chants, directed at France's Kylian Mbappe and others, reportedly contained racist and homophobic insults.

While Fernandez has since apologised, Chelsea has begun internal disciplinary proceedings against him. The French Football Federation (FFF) has lodged a complaint with FIFA.

Villarruel had voiced her support for Fernandez, asserting on social media, "No colonialist country will intimidate us over a stadium chant or for speaking truths they refuse to acknowledge. Enough with the feigned outrage, hypocrites."

This diplomatic incident occurred shortly before President Milei's planned trip to Paris for the Olympic Games' opening ceremony.

Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni emphasised on Friday that diplomatic relations with France remain unaffected, despite the controversy.

Meanwhile, Argentina's under secretary for sports, Julio Garro, was dismissed this week after suggesting that Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association should apologise for the chants. AFP