Reece James has acknowledged that the racism controversy involving his Chelsea teammate Enzo Fernández could pose a “problem” within the locker room.
Fernández, along with several Argentina teammates, sparked controversy during their Copa América celebrations when they were recorded singing a derogatory chant targeting some players from France.
Chelsea’s record signing faced criticism from his teammate Wesley Fofana, who represents France, asserting that the video exhibited “uninhibited racism.” Fernández has since issued an apology.
An internal investigation is currently underway, with Fernández set to join his Chelsea teammates on Monday as they continue their pre-season training in the United States.
When asked if the situation might impact team morale, James remarked to ESPN: “Absolutely. There’s always a concern when there’s a potential issue that doesn’t sit well with everyone involved.
“However, until everyone is together in one room, I can’t say for certain, but I genuinely hope that we can resolve things amicably and focus on the upcoming season.”
James, the captain of Chelsea, who is resuming training after a season hindered by injuries, mentioned having a conversation with Fernández. “I spoke to him briefly, although it was challenging due to our differing time zones,” he shared. “It was just a casual conversation about his perspective on the incident and him trying to clarify his situation and the events that transpired.
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“It’s a very complicated situation. There is no place for racism or discrimination in football. I believe he swiftly acknowledged his mistakes and offered his apologies to his teammates, the club, and all those who were offended. That was likely the best course of action he could take in such a scenario.”
