Inside Chelsea’s pre-season camp after Enzo Fernandez racism storm as Enzo Maresca lifts lid on clear-the-air talks
CHELSEA hope they have drawn a line under the Enzo Fernandez race row after he rejoined the group.
The players are putting on a united front — publicly at least — and seem prepared to accept it was an incredibly foolish mistake by a young star.
But the initial reaction, as well as the fallout in Argentina and France, suggests it is something that cannot be solved with a quick chat and donation to a good cause.
While most within the squad have accepted that things will be back to normal, sources claim there was still an awkward air as the group trained again for the first time.
For new boss Enzo Maresca, that will have been expected and it could have been a far worse reunion.
The Italian has made a concerted effort to keep spirits high.
After arriving in Atlanta on Saturday night following their 4-1 friendly defeat by Celtic in Ohio, the squad were treated to a sushi night in Buckhead — the area of the city where their plush hotel is based.
Wandering around St Regis — where rooms start at $659, or £515, per night — there remains a happy families vibe, nothing to see here.
The manager and players are moving on and the club have wound up an internal probe, with Fernandez’s donation to an anti-discrimination charity effectively seen as a fine.
Yet Fifa chiefs are still investigating the video of the racist chant — which could eventually lead to an FA ban — as well as considering a legal complaint from the French Football Association.
Maresca insists Chelsea are a happy camp
By Jack Rosser
ENZO MARESCA insists Chelsea are a happy camp after clear-the-air talks as Enzo Fernandez joined the squad in America.
Fernandez trained with Blues on Monday for the first time since sparking a racism storm during Copa America celebrations.
The 23-year-old midfield star filmed himself and other Argentina players singing a racist chant about France’s black players. Maresca, captain Reece James and French pair Wesley Fofana and Axel Disasi were among a small group who met Fernandez — before he addressed all the team to apologise.
Fofana had previously hit out at the “uninhibited racism” displayed by the midfielder but has since deleted that social media post.
Chelsea concluded their own investigation, resulting in the player donating to an anti-discrimination charity which the club will match.
Boss Maresca said: “We all feel very comfortable, very good, as Enzo is back. He had a chat with all of us just to clarify there were no bad intentions and the lads all accepted that.
“Since yesterday’s session, everything was like before in terms of they were all together, all speaking, all laughing. Normal situation.”
Asked about the meeting, Maresca added: “It was between me, Enzo, and a few players to just clarify the situation.
“There is nothing more to add. There is not any mystery behind it. We all make mistakes. We have to be good to apologise as sometimes we struggle even to apologise. Enzo apologised already four or five times.
“They all accepted it. Everyone is speaking with each other, everyone is laughing.
“This is exactly what I expected because I knew there was never any bad intentions and they are all good people. But all of us, sometimes we make mistakes.
“The meeting was between Enzo, some team-mates, Wes Fofana was there.
“They spoke with each other. It is normal sometimes that the first reaction is not always good when they argue, the first interaction is not good.
“But thinking about it a little bit, day after day, you can understand there was not any bad intention.”
Meanwhile Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta fired France to an Olympic quarter-final with Argentina on Friday.
It comes less than three weeks after Fernandez and Co’s vile chanting about the French.
Mateta scored as the hosts beat New Zealand 3-0.
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This is not something that will be so easily swept under the carpet.
Maresca was tossed a grenade a few weeks into the job by their £106million midfield man’s behaviour.
Fernandez posted a video of him and his Argentina team-mates singing a vile song about the French team following Copa America glory.
While Maresca started on the front foot, getting players around the table with Fernandez, 23, to clear the air, the ex-Leicester boss will have to keep on top of things in the coming days and weeks.
Chelsea's pre-season tour
Here is a look at Chelsea's full tour of the USA:
RESULTS
- Chelsea 2 Wrexham 2 – July 24
- Chelsea 1 Celtic 4 – July 27
FIXTURES
- Chelsea vs Club America – July 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- Chelsea vs Manchester City – August 3 – Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
- Chelsea vs Real Madrid – August 6 – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Gotham FC vs Chelsea Women – August 19 – Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey
- Chelsea Women vs Arsenal Women – August 25 – Audi Field, Washington DC
Defender Levi Colwill said: “We’re a team. We moved forward together and that is what we are going to do.
“Everything that has happened stays between us. I am really excited to get to work and that we have a really good season.
“We all know Enzo is a good person and works well for the team.”
The hope will be that, once the Premier League season is underway, the focus moves on and other things become more important.
But a poor start on the pitch can easily open up any old wounds and rifts in a dressing room.
Players felt Fernandez was being heartfelt when he apologised in person — following on from his public statement and personal messages over WhatsApp before flying in to join the pre-season tour.
But it is hard to imagine the likes of Blues defender Wesley Fofana, who called out the “uninhibited racism” from his team-mate, will be able to move on quite so quickly.
Maresca has passed his initial test by coping with the first of what will no doubt be a few crises.
But, for many, there will still be a sense of wait and see around just how warmly Fernandez is welcomed back — not only by team-mates but by Chelsea fans and rival supporters, too.
You can be sure those in the away end at Stamford Bridge this season will be ready to revive this time and again across the season.
Chelsea and Maresca will hope that is as far as it goes.
Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca
ENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.