Rodrigo de Paul defends Enzo Fernandez over racist song – “There was malice in putting it on social media”

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been the focus of unwanted attention in the last week, after posting a live stream of himself and the Argentina team singing a racist song towards the French national team. His Chelsea teammates Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto have expressed their disgust at the incident, and Chelsea are conducting an investigation.

Midfielder of Atletico Madrid and teammate of Argentina Rodrigo de Paul he tried to downplay the incident. Talking about Olga en Vivo, via AS DiaryDe Paul said Fofana had gone the wrong way by criticizing Fernandez on social media.

“I don't analyze the songs very much. I can understand people who have suffered racism and don't like it, but then there is a place for everything. If someone or a colleague of Enzo feels offended, the way to do it is to call he if you know him personally, not to put on social networks. There is a bit of malice, or maybe to put Enzo in a place that has nothing to do. You do not need to add fuel to the fire, or to make a show.”

De Paul's answers are certainly surprising for an international audience, and perhaps speaks to the heart of the problem – a complete lack of understanding of the gravity of these words. With French team-mates Thomas Lemar and Antoine Griezmann waiting for him back in Madrid, he could be in for an uncomfortable welcome.