After the scandal and apologies, Enzo Fernández returned to play for Chelsea and wore the captain’s ribbon

After offering the appropriate apologies to his colleagues Chelseasome of whom accused him of racism and homophobia, Enzo Fernandez He put on the English team’s shirt again in a preseason friendly that ended with 3-0 win against América of Mexico.

The 23-year-old Argentine soccer player started as a substitute the match played at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where he debuted in the United States Copa América in which he won a new title with the Argentine National Team, and entered before the start of the second half, replacing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

But beyond his return to the London team after enjoying a vacation with his family, there was a detail that did not go unnoticedmainly after the controversy over the chants against France that arose on the campus, and which later expanded to other spheres: wore the captain’s ribbon.

Actually, the one who started with the armband on was Reece James. However, when the defender left the field at 63 to allow Renato Veiga to enter, the distinction passed to the left arm of Enzo Fernández, which seems to be a sign that the internal storm on the campus is now definitively behind us.

Of course, nothing happened overnight. Previously, when joining Chelsea’s preseason, the former River stood in front of the squad and offered his apologies for the video that initially offended Wesley Fofanawhose discomfort quickly spread to other players on the team.

Fofana, of Ivorian parents and a colleague of Fernández at Chelsea for two years, pointed to him as responsible for “uninhibited racism” prevailing in football. The accusation was embraced by at least ten other players from the London team, most of them of French nationality and African descent.

Fernández also reported that made a donation to an organization that is dedicated to fighting against cases of racism, discrimination and xenophobia, a collection to which Chelsea joined. Only there, both the footballer and his new coach, Enzo Maresca, came to the conclusion that the matter was closed.

However, what is not defined is what the English League will do, which announced that his case remains under investigation. The FA (Football Association) could give him an “exemplary” sanction of up to 12 dates and impose a heavy fine on the Argentine.

For now, the Argentine He once again wore the number 8 of the Blues and he did it when the game was 2-0, thanks to the goals of Christopher Nkunku, from a penalty, and Marc Guiu. Then Noni Madueke, also from the twelve steps, sealed the result. Over there Enzo high-fived his teammates.