“If any of Enzo’s colleagues are offended, let them call him, I don’t understand why there are so many shows”

Rodrigo de Paul In an interview with the Olga streaming channel, he addressed the scandal that erupted in France over racist and homophobic chants after the Copa America title, and defended his teammate Enzo Fernandez, the main target of the critics. “The intention was never discriminatory. We do not analyze the lyrics of these songs. We can understand that people who have been subjected to racism do not like it, but there is room,” the Atletico Madrid player defended himself.

De Paul does not share the position of Enzo Fernandes’ teammates at Chelsea. Fofana, Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto unfollowed him on social media after Fofana posted a message criticising Argentina’s attitude.

“If Enzo’s teammate is offended, he should call him instead of posting it on social media. I think there is some malice or a desire to put Enzo in a situation that has nothing to do with him. It’s very strange, it’s like kicking someone who is knocked out,” De Paul analyzed.

If Enzo’s colleague was offended, he should call him instead of posting it on social media. I think there is a bit of malice here.

Rodrigo de Paul

“These are people who are with you in the locker room all the time, on trips. There is trust. To stop following them (on social media) seems useless to me. You can call them and say, ‘Listen, we may feel affected,’ ‘Why don’t you put out a message apologizing to people?’ and that’s the end of it. I don’t understand why so much is shown,” he added.

Lloris does not share his vision

Former goalkeeper and captain of the French national team Hugo Lloris also took the opportunity to talk about the issue and asked for more respect for his country: “It was a real attack on the French people, especially on the French who have some kind of origin and family.”

It was a real attack on the French people, especially on French people of African descent and family.

Hugo Lloris

“It doesn’t matter if you’re in a moment of euphoria because you’ve won an important trophy. It requires even more responsibility when you’re a winner. We’re all against discrimination and racism. I just think and I hope it’s a mistake. We all make mistakes from time to time and I hope they learn from it,” Lloris told the BBC.

Demba Ba stirs up controversy

On the other hand, former player Demba Ba, a native of France, joined the criticism, writing in Perón “a greeting to war criminals”, to which he added: “And this surprises you…”.

The problem is entrenched on both sides. Another teammate of Enzo, who also plays in England, Alexis McAllisterdefended his teammate. “We know Enzo, we know he would never do it with bad intentions, he’s not that guy, he’s not a racist. You have to be careful what you say or do. Especially in Europe, where they’re much more sensitive than here. The reality is we’re not a racist country; we’re not used to talking about racism so much,” Mac Allister told Argentina’s Urbana Play FM on Thursday.