Chelsea have been slammed for a “weak” response to Enzo Fernandez’s racism scandal as Michael Duberry questioned why the Argentine wasn’t banned.
The controversy erupted after Fernandez and several of his international team-mates were recorded singing a racist and discriminatory chant, which was posted on the Argentina midfielder’s social media account after their Copa America final win over Colombia.
Upon returning to the Chelsea squad following his post-season break, Fernandez issued a face-to-face apology to his team-mates – a gesture aimed at addressing the differences and animosity that had brewed in the dressing room.
Key figures such as Chelsea captain Reece James and Axel Disasi played crucial roles in mediating the situation.
Fernandez also pledged to make a meaningful donation to an anti-discrimination charity, a contribution that Chelsea has agreed to match.
According to reports, the Chelsea board is satisfied with the efforts undertaken by Fernandez and the player has already resumed training and shared meals with his team-mates.
Weak Response
Despite Chelsea’s internal resolution, former Blues defender Duberry is not content with how the club have handled the situation and feels Fernandez should have faced serious punishment.
Speaking to Aherne & Jennings on talkSPORT, Duberry stated: “I think it’s pretty weak.
“They could have put out more of a statement, so I’m not really satisfied with it – not that I’m looking for the player personally, but the crime that’s happened deserves a bit.
“A contribution, a little bit of money to a campaign is not really satisfactory in my opinion.”
Chelsea skipper James has urged his team-mates to move on from the incident but Duberry believes this will be challenging.
“As club captain, he has to stand by the club and say it’s put aside, but when you go in there you have your relationship with players, your teammates – just like any office anywhere,” Duberry said.
“Depending on the relationship beforehand, people will form their own opinions and be decent and professional on the pitch because they want to win but off the pitch – I don’t want to say it’ll split the camp – but it will have ongoing repercussions.
Taking Chances Against Racism
“I think it was a great chance for the club to show their stance towards the racist act.
“Even though they’ve taken great strides in getting rid of it, anything like this just takes it back to the old Chelsea.
“It was a great chance to say, regardless of anyone else, we don’t stand for it and this is what we’re doing – no matter the player, his status or the amount paid for him.
“It kind of washes over the people who are trying to clear the game of racism.
“You’ve got social media, but now you’ve got a player on the inside making a mockery, making jokes and then saying, ‘really sorry, here’s some money – case closed’.
“For a lot of people, it won’t be ‘case closed’, it will be ongoing and even though Chelsea have shut it up it’s not enough for a lot of people.
“They’ve had a lot of time to think about it as well and for this to be the outcome, it’s disappointing.
“If it was a player who wouldn’t make a difference they could give a punishment and make a statement, but because this player has some importance to them, they don’t want to see him banned and then them still paying money.
“Whatever the thing is, because of the magnitude of the player, what he holds for the club and the value of him, I think that’s maybe why it’s gone this way.”
Did You Know?
When asked what he would do if he were in a position of authority at Chelsea, Duberry suggested a more stringent punishment for Fernandez.
“There’d be a ban, not just money,” he said.
“”Show a proactive sorry – take something away that means something to him, like playing football.
“I’m sure the apology is sincere, but there’s got to be more than ‘case closed, let’s move on’.
“I know we don’t want to talk about racism but it’s here.
“You can’t just move on from it because everyone will be talking about it and the weakness of what happened will make it ongoing.”
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Although Chelsea have closed their internal investigation, FIFA are still yet to give a verdict.
In the meantime, Enzo Maresca will hope to reintegrate Fernandez into the Chelsea squad as quickly as possible before they head back to the UK after completing their pre-season commitments across the Atlantic, which will see them play friendlies against Club America, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
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