Julio Garro, Argentina’s undersecretary of sports, has been dismissed from his post after demanding that Lionel Messi apologize for a controversial song about the French national team.
Argentina football players have been accused of using “racist and discriminatory” language by the French Football Federation after a video posted on social media went viral. The clip, posted by Enzo Fernandez, who is facing disciplinary proceedings at Chelsea, was criticised by his French team-mate Wesley Fofana.
The song, originally sung by Argentinian fans, questions the origins of the black and mixed-race players on the French team and is considered by some to be deeply offensive.
After the Argentina national team was filmed singing the song, Garro demanded World Cup-winning captain Messi, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time, apologize.
Argentina’s right-wing President Javier Milei fired Garro hours after he made the comments on an Argentine radio station called Urbana Play.
A statement said: “The Office of the President declares that no government has the right to tell the Argentine national team, world champion and two-time Copa America champion, or any other citizen, what to comment, think or do. That is why Julio Garro ceases to be the Undersecretary of Sports.”
Garro believes the incident reflects poorly on Argentina after their Copa America triumph, with many critics targeting the team for their celebrations.
” I think that [Messi] should come out and make a proper apology, as should the president of the Argentine Football Federation [Claudio Tapia] ” Garro told Urbana Play.
Meanwhile, Argentinian and Chelsea star Fernandez has issued a public apology for posting the video and for the comments made in it.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations,” the midfielder said.
“The song contains highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words.
“I oppose any form of discrimination and I am sorry for getting carried away by the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations. This video, this moment, these words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”
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