Former Chelsea forward Carlton Cole has condemned Lionel Messi, labeling the Argentine star “selfish” for his silence following racist chants by Argentina’s national team players.
The incident occurred after Argentina’s 1-0 Copa América victory over Colombia on July 14.
Chelsea player Enzo Fernandez, during a live video, captured other team members chanting a racist song directed at French national team players.
The chants, translated by talkSPORT, included derogatory remarks about the origin of French players.
Although Fernandez, who streamed the chants live on Instagram, has since apologized, the captain Messi, who did not participate in the chanting, has yet to comment publicly on the matter.
Cole expressed his disappointment on a talkSPORT program, stating, “Argentina has someone who is renowned as probably the best footballer to ever grace the beautiful game – Lionel Messi. He needs to speak up about this behavior.”
Cole emphasized the importance of Messi’s voice in addressing the issue. “Messi is the main guy there. He’s the captain. He needs to come out and say something about this behavior.”
“Otherwise, it’s just like he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care how I feel, he doesn’t care how some of his black teammates he’s had in the past feel.”
“That just shows me that he’s selfish. He needs to come out and say something. I condemn him. Simple. I condemn Messi,” Cole added.
While Chelsea has launched an investigation into the case, to ascertain if Fernandez will face any disciplinary action, the French national team has written to FIFA about the “racial chants.”
The reaction from Carlton Cole highlights a growing concern in the football community about the responsibility of high-profile players to address and condemn inappropriate behavior, especially in instances involving racism. As a globally recognized figure and the captain of the Argentine national team, Messi’s silence on the matter has drawn significant criticism. Cole's comments underscore the expectation that leaders in sports should use their platforms to speak out against injustice and set a positive example. This incident also sheds light on the broader issue of racism in football, prompting discussions about accountability and the role of influential players in promoting inclusivity and respect within the sport.
