'Pretty weak': Ex-Chelsea player disappointed by lack of punishment for Enzo Fernandez following racism scandal

Chelsea's handling of the Enzo Fernandez racism controversy has been described as “pretty weak” by former player Michael Duberry.

The Argentine midfielder was heavily criticised after he and several of his international teammates were filmed singing a racist and discriminatory song on Fernández's social media account.

Amid outrage from Chelsea's French contingent, Fernandez issued a public and private statement sorryHowever, the incident put his future at the club in doubt.

Now back with his teammates after the Copa America, the 23-year-old issued an immediate apology to the team, which appears to have been accepted.

Captain Reece James and French defender Axel Disasi are believed to have been key in helping Fernandez integrate back into the team.

The Argentine midfielder has already trained and had lunch with his teammates in the last 24 hours.

In accepting his mistake, Fernandez also pledged a significant contribution to an anti-discrimination charity, which will be matched by Chelsea.

talkSPORT understands the club considers the case closed and the team is ready to move on.

But although Chelsea consider the situation resolved, former defender Duberry has expressed disappointment at their response to such a serious matter.

He told Aherne & Jennings: “I think it's pretty weak. They could have issued a more detailed statement, so I'm not really satisfied with that – not that I'm looking out for the player personally, but the crime that happened deserves some justice.”

“A contribution, a little money for a campaign, is not really satisfactory in my opinion.”

As well as helping to reinstate Fernandez into the Chelsea squad, club captain James said the club must try to put the episode behind them, something Duberry said would be difficult to do.

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“As captain of the club, he has to stand behind the club and say he's standing back, but when you go in there you have your relationship with the players, your teammates, just like in any office anywhere,” Duberry said.

“Depending on the previous relationship, people will form their own opinions and he will be decent and professional on the court because he wants to win, but off the court, I don’t want to say he will divide the camp, but he will have ongoing repercussions.

“I think it was a great opportunity for the club to show its stance on the racist law.

“Even though they have made huge efforts to get rid of him, anything like this just brings him back to the old Chelsea.

“It was a great opportunity to say, regardless of anyone else, we don’t tolerate this and this is what we are doing, regardless of the player, his status or the amount paid for him.

“In some ways this affects people who are trying to clean up the game of racism.

“You have social media, but now you have a player inside making fun of you, making jokes and then saying, 'I'm so sorry, here's some money, case closed.'

“For many people it won't be a 'closed case', it will be something that will continue and, even though Chelsea have kept quiet about it, for many people it is not enough.”

Duberry added: “They had a lot of time to think about it as well and for this to be the result is disappointing.

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“If he was a player who wouldn't make a difference, they could sanction him and leave an impression, but because this player is of some importance to them, they don't want to see him sanctioned and then continue paying money.

“Whatever it is, given the magnitude of the player, what he represents for the club and his value, I think that may be why this has happened.”

Asked what the punishment would be if he were in a position of authority at the club, Duberry said: “There would be a ban, not just money. Showing a proactive apology, taking away something that means something to him, like playing football.”

“I'm sure the apology is sincere, but there has to be more to it than 'case closed, let's move on.'

“I know we don’t want to talk about racism, but it is an issue that is there. It cannot be ignored because everyone will continue to talk about it and the weakness of what happened will cause it to continue.”