Argentina's vice-president supported Enzo and called France ‘colonialist’

Argentina's vice-president Victoria Villaruel on Wednesday defended footballer Enzo Fernandez after the controversy over racist and homophobic chants against the French national team during the Copa America title celebrations, and branded the European country ‘colonialist’ and ‘hypocritical’ for showing their indignation.

"No colonialist country is going to intimidate us for a song or for telling the truths they don't want to admit. Enough of feigning indignation, hypocrites. Enzo, I support you; Messi, thanks for everything! Argentines, always with your heads held high! Long live Argentina!", declared the politician from La Libertad Avanza (far-right) on her profile on the social networking site X.

The president of the Senate also stated that the South American country is "sovereign and free", and that, unlike France, it never had colonies or second-class citizens, nor did it impose its way of life on anyone. "We are not going to tolerate them doing it to us either. Argentina was made with the sweat and courage of Indians, Europeans, Creoles and blacks like Remedios del Valle, Sergeant Cabral and Bernardo de Monteagudo", added the ultra-liberal.

Villarruel's words clash with the request expressed this morning by the Undersecretary of Sports, Julio Garro, who, in a radio interview, considered that the ‘Albiceleste’ should apologise. The controversy revolves around a live Instagram profile of the Chelsea midfielder in which a song sung by several members of the national team mocked the African origins of many of the French players, with striker Kylian Mbappe headlining, who was also called a ‘p*to’ (a derogatory word for ‘homosexual’).