BUENOS AIRES: Buenos Aires apologized to France after Argentina’s vice president called the European country “colonialist” and its people “hypocrites” in an argument over alleged racist chants by Argentine footballers.
President Javier Milei’s office said Friday it had sent a senior official to the French embassy to explain that Victoria Villarruel’s angry statement on social media was made in her personal capacity.
FIFA has announced an investigation into the chants sung by Argentina players, including Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, 23, after they won the Copa America.
The chants were heard on a live video posted on social media by Fernandez from the team bus in the wake of the Copa victory over Colombia in Miami on Sunday.
The song targets France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe among others and includes racist and homophobic insults.
Fernandez has apologized, but Chelsea have launched an internal disciplinary procedure against him. The French Football Federation (FFF) has complained to FIFA.
On Wednesday, Villarruel expressed support for Fernandez on X, saying: “No colonialist country is going to intimidate us because of a stadium chant nor for speaking truths that they do not want to admit. Enough with feigned outrage, hypocrites.”
The diplomatic incident came just days before Milei is due to travel to Paris to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
“Diplomatic relations with France are intact,” presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said Friday.
Argentina’s under secretary for sports, Julio Garro, was dismissed from his post this week after saying captain Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association should apologize for the chants.
Argentina apologizes to France in football-chant row
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Argentina apologizes to France in football-chant row
US coach Pochettino says he wants to one day return to the Premier League
- Pochettino is preparing for next summer’s World Cup when he will lead the US at its home tournament
- “The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day,” he said
WASHINGTON: Mauricio Pochettino has outlined his determination to one day win the Premier League and Champions League.
The Argentine coach is preparing for next summer’s World Cup when he will lead the United States at its home tournament. But his long-term ambitions are to return to elite European club soccer.
In an interview with the BBC, the former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager said he wants to work in England’s top flight again.
“The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day,” he said. “It is the most competitive league, and of course I would love to come back again.”
The US were handed a favorable draw for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico. Pochettino’s team would at least expect to advance out of their group, which includes Paraguay, Australia and the winner of a European playoff between Turkiye, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romania.
Asked if he could achieve one more thing in his career, Pochettino’s answer was “to win the Premier League and the Champions League.”
“We were so close in Tottenham. I want to achieve this. I am still young, I have the energy, experience and motivation to try in the future,” he said.
