Chelsea have published a statement in response to the controversial video posted by their midfielder Enzo Fernandez, denouncing 'all forms' of discriminatory behaviour and confirming they have begun an internal investigation.
The Chelsea player has been accused of 'uninhibited racism' by his French international team-mate Wesley Fofana, who reposted the video.
The Argentina international and a number of his team-mates appeared to sing a controversial song seemingly claiming French players are 'from Angola' or have a 'Nigerian' mother and a 'Cameroonian' father.
A number of other Blues players then unfollowed Fernandez on social media, before Chelsea published a statement on Wednesday morning.
'Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,' the club said.
'We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.
'The Club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.'
Mail Sport understands Chelsea spoke to Fernandez first to verify his comments before they spoke publicly on the matter. Fake quotes and videos of Gareth Southgate and other England players, using AI, were frequently posted on X during Euro 2024.
The song came during Argentina's celebrations on the bus after they clinched their second successive Copa America title.
Chelsea have a large number of French players among their squad including Fofana, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.
Fofana, Disasi and Gusto have all unfollowed Fernandez on Instagram.
Mail Sport previously reported that sources close to the players have revealed that Chelsea's French contingent are furious with Fernandez.
Fernandez himself belatedly posted an apology on Tuesday night, which read: 'I want to apologise for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.
'The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.
'That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.'
Recordings of Fernandez's video show the team seemingly at least singing the Angola portion of the song while he grins.
Only one player in the French squad for the 2022 World Cup, Eduardo Camavinga, was born in Angola.
Chelsea star Fernandez had been filming before Argentina's players started singing this particular song but ended the Instagram live seconds after the racist chant began.
French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo branded the footage 'racist and discriminatory' and vowed to take legal action with a complaint to FIFA.
'Faced with the seriousness of these shocking remarks, contrary to the values of sport and human rights, the president of the FFF decided to directly challenge his Argentine counterpart and FIFA and to file a legal complaint for insulting remarks of a racial and discriminatory nature,' added the FFF.
The song first emerged around the 2022 World Cup, when Argentina beat France in the final on penalties in Qatar.
The game was already mired in bad-blood with Mbappe targeted by heavy taunting by Emiliano Martinez after the match - despite the French striker scoring a hat-trick and a penalty in the shootout.
Sources at Chelsea say they are taking the matter seriously and will proceed accordingly.
It comes just months after former Chelsea player Jimmy Aggrey spoke out about the racist abuse he endured at the hands of two coaches as a teenager.
Aggrey was one of four former players who launched civil action against Chelsea over their treatment at the hands of Gwyn Williams, who was reportedly handed a secret lifetime ban by the FA, and Graham Rix, who was sent to prison for under-age sex offences. Each former player received a six-figure sum.
