Enzo Maresca has confirmed midfielder Enzo Fernandez apologised to his Chelsea teammates over his offensive chant upon his arrival at pre-season coaching.
Fernandez discovered himself on the centre of serious controversy following Argentina’s Copa America triumph after posting a video on social media of himself and numerous teammates singing a chant with the French Soccer Federation described as “racist and discriminatory”.
Chelsea‘s Wesley Fofana publicly voiced his disappointment in the direction of Fernandez’s actions, whereas numerous French teammates unfollowed the midfielder on social media.
Fernandez apologised publicly within the speedy aftermath but additionally spoke privately to these damage by his actions upon his return to coaching, and Maresca confirmed he believes the divide within the dressing room has been repaired.
“To be trustworthy, all of us really feel very snug, superb as a result of Enzo is again,” Maresca mentioned. “He had a chat with all of us simply to make clear there have been no unhealthy intentions and the lads all accepted.
“Since yesterday’s session, final evening, all the pieces was like earlier than when it comes to they had been all collectively, all talking, all laughing. Regular state of affairs.
“To be trustworthy, I do not know [if the club’s investigation is finished]. I do not know. The one factor I can say is the membership did a press release, the participant did a press release days in the past. The participant has arrived right here, had a chat together with his teammates, had a chat with us and now the state of affairs seems to be fully regular, like earlier than.”
Experiences declare membership captain Reece James performed an enormous position within the constructive talks alongside French centre-back Axel Disasi.
“Generally, many of the occasions, we used to say it is an inside factor. However as a result of there isn’t any thriller. The assembly was between me, Enzo, a couple of gamers to make clear the state of affairs,” Maresca continued. “There may be nothing extra so as to add. There is no thriller behind.
“All of us make errors. Now we have to be good to apologise as a result of generally we battle even to apologise. Enzo apologised already 4 or 5 occasions. They’ve all accepted it.
“As I mentioned, since final evening the state of affairs is totally regular. Everyone seems to be talking with one another, everyone seems to be laughing. That is precisely what I anticipated as a result of I knew there was by no means any unhealthy intentions and they’re all good individuals. However all of us, generally we do errors.”
Requested whether or not Fernandez spoke on to Fofana, Maresca concluded: “The assembly was between Enzo, a few of his mates, Wes was there. They spoke with one another. It’s regular generally that the primary response is just not all the time good after they argue, the primary interplay is just not good.
“However fascinated about it a bit of bit, day after day, you may perceive that there was not any unhealthy intention as a result of they know Enzo is best than me. They know Enzo is an efficient man.”
