Argentina national anthem is BOOED ahead of the men’s football team’s first game at Paris Olympics amid Enzo Fernandez racism storm

Argentina’s national anthem was booed ahead of the men’s football team’s first game at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday afternoon amid a racism storm involving Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

The South American nation kickstarted their campaign against Morocco, and the players lined up for the customary anthems before kick-off.

As the Argentina anthem played around the venue in Saint Etienne, it was met with widespread boos from the crowd. 

The boos drowning out the anthem came just over a week after Fernandez filmed himself and his Argentina team-mates singing a chant directed at France’s black players following their Copa America triumph.

The song, which also singles out Kylian Mbappe, was condemned by the French Football Federation who filed a complaint to FIFA.

Fernandez filmed himself singing the chant on Argentina’s bus during their Copa America celebrations

Fernandez’s Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana also reposted the video and labelled the chant ‘uninhibited racism’ before unfollowing Fernandez on Instagram.

Two other Chelsea players – Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi – also unfollowed Fernandez.

The midfielder subsequently apologised for the video and insisted he is not racist, while Chelsea reacted by condemning ‘all forms of discriminatory behaviour’ prior to conducting their own investigation.

But fans inside the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium had clearly not forgotten what has gone on in recent days, and made their feelings clear how they felt about the behaviour of the Argentina players last week.

Fernandez is not playing at the Olympics and is currently enjoying time away from the pitch after his Copa America exploits.

He was paraded at his old club River Plate over the weekend, only for the whole crowd to start singing the chant aimed at France’s black players once more.

The storm surrounding Fernandez is refusing to go away, but Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has insisted he is ready to welcome Fernandez back into his squad next week when he returns from his holiday.

Enzo Fernandez was paraded by his boyhood club River Plate on Sunday 

Footage shared on social media showed the entire stadium signing the chant aimed at France’s black players

Speaking out in the US where Chelsea are currently on their pre-season tour, Maresca said: ‘The player did a statement, apologised, and the club did the same. I don’t think there is something to add, the situation is already clear.’

Asked if there will be problems bringing him back into the squad, Maresca added: ‘I don’t think so, to be honest. At the end, they are all human beings, I don’t think there are any bad intentions from any one of them.

‘When Enzo is back, I don’t think we will have any problems, the player already clarified the situation, and the club did the same. There is nothing to add.

‘He is not a bad human being. It can happen, I don’t think there are any problems at all. I spoke with Enzo, I spoke with a lot of them. The player has made a statement and apologised, it is clear.’

Reece James also broached the subject as the Chelsea captain 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.’

Argentina’s tournament did not get off to an ideal start as they fell 1-0 down before half time when Bilal El Khannouss finished off a fine team move from Morocco.