Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca is confident that Enzo Fernandez’s return to the team next week will be unaffected by the recent racism controversy.
Fernandez faced accusations of “uninhibited racism” from teammate Wesley Fofana after sharing a video featuring Argentina players singing a song with racist and homophobic lyrics.
The incident threatens to cause troubles in the Chelsea dressing room but Maresca has defended Fernandez and is confident there will be no split in the squad.
Fernandez has apologised publicly and privately to his team-mates, and will see them face-to-face when he joins up with the Chelsea squad on their pre-season tour of America on Monday.
Chelsea have said they are investigating “an internal disciplinary procedure” and FIFA are also looking into the incident.
Read Also: Wednesday’s Transfer Updates: Williams, Hummels, Fernandes, Jorgensen, Royal, McBurnie
Speaking overnight in his first press conference as Chelsea boss, Maresca said:
“At the end, they are all human beings. There is no bad intention from any one of them.
“I don’t think when Enzo is back, we will have any problems.
The player and club clarified the situation.
It’s great the player did the statement to apologise.
The club did the same. There is not something to add to the situation. It’s clear and clarified.
“He is not a bad human being. It can happen. I don’t think there are any problems at all.”
In a separate interview with ESPN, Maresca said of Fernandez: “Good guy, good person, good human being. There was not any bad intention.”
Chelsea captain Reece James said:
“Enzo acknowledged he did wrong and apologised to the club and the team.
“I have spoken to Enzo and everyone involved but those conversations have to stay in-house.”
Chelsea will face Wrexham on Thursday morning to open there preseason campaign.
