Chelsea condemned discriminatory behavior from the Argentina National Team and Enzo Fernández following Argentina’s Copa América win over Colombia.

Fernández and his Argentine teammates partook in a chant singling out French players of African heritage. Some Argentina fans used the same chats during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup match against France.

“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behavior completely unacceptable,” the club wrote in a statement released. “We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.”

French defender Wesley Fofana cited the chant as “uninhibited racism” while French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra blasted FIFA for not taking immediate action. “Pathetic. Behavior that is all more unacceptable if it is repeated. @FIFAcom: a reaction,” she tweeted on X.

Fernández issued an apology for his actions on Instagram. The midfielder admitted that the song “included highly offensive language” while saying that “those words don’t reflect my beliefs or character. I stand against discrimination in all forms and I apologize for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa América celebrations.”

The French Football Federation said it will file a legal complaint in response to the situation. “The President of the FFF, Phillipe Diallo, condemns in the strongest terms the unacceptable, racist remarks which were made against players of the French team in the form of a chant sung by players and supporters of the Argentinian team,” the statement said. Grez also said that FIFA is aware of “a video circulating on social media” and that they are looking into the incident.

“This leaves us, as a country, in bad standing after so much glory,” said Argentina’s sports undersecretary Julio Garro. Garro believes that Lionel Messi and Claudio Tapia should also apologize for the chant.

In the midst of the Christmas festivities, the Premier League boxing day fixtures were also happening. 

Arsenal got its first win in a long time after defeating Chelsea 3-1. In the first half, the Gunners were awarded a penalty scored by Alexandre Lacazette. Afterward, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka scored a brilliant free-kick to double the score for his side. In the second half, young Arsenal star Bukayo Saka scored a stunning goal. In the last minutes of the game, Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham scored his side’s only goal. The Blues were awarded a penalty, but the penalty was shot by Jorginho and saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Despite the new signings, Chelsea has not drastically improved from last season. 

Leicester City drew with Manchester United 2-2. In the first half, United star Marcus Rashford scored the first goal. Afterward, Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes scored his side’s first goal. In the second half, United’s Bruno Fernandes scored his side’s second goal. Shortly after, Unite’s Axel Tuanzebe scored an own goal. The result was fair to both sides.

Manchester City defeated Newcastle United, 2-0. In the first half, City’s Ilkay Gundogan scored the first goal. In the second half, City’s new signing Ferran Torres scored the second goal. Manchester City played a good game, unlike previous ones.

Everton defeated Sheffield United, 1-0 after a late goal from Gylfi Sigurosson. The Toffees made an unexpected start to the season and are now third in the Premier League. 

Aston Villa defeated Crystal Palace 3-0. In the first half, Villa’s Bertrand Traore scored an early goal. Before half time, Villa’s Tyrone Mings was sent off after a second yellow card. In the second half, Villa’s Kortney Hause and Anwar El Ghazi each scored. The game looked quite easy for Aston Villa against a struggling Crystal Palace. 

The Fulham and Southampton game ended in a goalless draw. 

S.S. Lazio joined Group F winner Borussia Dortmund to advance to the Champions League round of 16. 

Lazio advanced to the next round after a draw against Club Brugge, 2-2. In the first half, Lazio’s Joaquin Correa scored the first goal followed by the equalizer from Club Brugge’s Ruud Vormer. Before the end of the first half, Lazio was awarded a penalty scored by Ciro Immobile. In the second half, Club Brugge’s Eduard Sobol was sent off following a second yellow card. Afterward, Club Brugge’s Hans Vanaken scored the equalizer. 

Manchester United crashed out of the competition after suffering a defeat against RB Leipzig, 3-2. In the first half, RB Leipzig’s Angelino scored an early goal followed by a goal from A. Haidara. In the second half, RB Leipzig substitute J. Kluviert scored the third goal. Manchester United was awarded a late penalty scored by Bruno Fernandes. Shortly after, Manchester United substitute Paul Pogba scored the second. 

Juventus defeated FC Barcelona, 3-0 to top Group G. In the first half, Juventus was awarded a penalty scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. Afterward, young star Weston McKennie scored the second goal. In the second half, Juventus was awarded a second penalty, scored again by Cristiano Ronaldo. FC Barcelona had some chances to score but the players were not clinical enough. 

Borussia Dortmund defeated Zenit St. Petersberg, 2-1. In the first half, Zenit’s Sebastian Driussi scored his side’s only goal in the game. In the second half, Dortmund’s Lukasz Piszczek scored the equalizer followed by the winner from Axel Witsel.

Chelsea’s game against Krasnodar ended with a draw, 1-1. In the first half, Krasnodar’s Remy Cabella scored the first goal. Shortly after, the Blue was awarded a penalty scored by Jorginho. 

Sevilla defeated Rennes, 3-1. In the first half, Sevilla defender Jules Kounde scored the first goal followed by a goal from Youssef En Nesyri. In the second half, En Nesyri scored the third goal and his second in the game. Shortly after, Rennes was awarded a late penalty scored by Georginio Rutter.  

The real drama of the night occurred during the PSG and Istanbul Basaksehir fixture. The game was called off following a racist incident that involved an official and Istanbul Basaksehir’s assistant coach, Pierre Webo. One of the match officials reportedly used a racial slur to call Basaksehir’s assistant coach. The fixture is postponed to Dec. 9. 

Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund booked its spot in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a draw against SS Lazio. 

Before the end of the first half, Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro scored the game’s first goal. In the second half, Lazio was awarded a penalty which Ciro Immobile scored. After this draw, Lazio will have to compete with Club Brugge to qualify for the round of 16. 

Club Brugge defeated Zenit St. Petersburg, 3-0. Club Brugge’s Charles De Ketelaere scored a goal in the first half. In the second half, the Belgian club was awarded a penalty scored by Hans Vanaken followed by the third goal from Noa Lang. 

Manchester United, PSG and RB Leipzig are all fighting for the top spot in Group H. PSG defeated Manchester United, 3-1. PSG’s Neymar scored an early goal followed by the equalizer from United’s Marcus Rashford. In the second half, PSG’s Marquinhos scored to give his side an upper hand in the game. Shortly after, United player Fred was sent off after a second yellow card, creating further difficulties for his team. In the added time, Neymar scored the third goal. 

RB Leipzig defeated Istanbul Basaksehir, 4-3. Leipzig’s Yussuf Poulsen scored the first goal followed by a goal from Nordi Mukiele. Before halftime, Başakşehir Irfan Kahveci scored a goal. In the second half, Leipzig’s Dani Olmo scored his side’s third goal followed by two more goals from Kahveci. In the added time, Leipzig’s Alexander Sorloth scored to hand side a victory against the Turkish club.

Goal hero Olivier Giroud scored four goals to help Chelsea defeat Sevilla 4-0. Giroud is the oldest player to score a hat trick in the competition.

Speaking of goals, Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 750th career goal in Juventus’ 3-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv. Juventus players Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata also scored.

Messi less FC Barcelona managed to defeat Ferencvaros, 3-0. Antoine Griezmann scored the first goal followed by a goal from Martin Braithwaite. Afterward, FC Barcelona was awarded a penalty which Ousmane Dembele scored. 

Russian club Krasnodar received its first win in the competition after defeating Ligue 1 club Rennes,1-0. Krasnodar’s Marcus Berg scored the only goal in the game.

In Tuesday’s Champions League action, Juventus, Chelsea, Sevilla and FC Barcelona all won their games to book a spot in the next round of the competition.

Despite Messi’s absence, FC Barcelona defeated Dynamo Kyiv, 4-0. The Catalan club were very quiet in the first half. In the second half, all the goals were produced. Serginho Dest, arguably the best player on the pitch during the match, scored the first goal. Martin Braithwaite scored two goals including one penalty. Substitute Antoine Griezmann scored the fourth goal. 

Juventus defeated the Hungarian club Ferencvaros, 2-1. Ferencvaros’ Myrto Uzuni scored an early goal, followed by an equalizer from Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo. The game was a draw until the 90th minute, but Juventus’ Alvaro Morata scored a header in the added minutes.

Chelsea defeated Rennes, 2-1. Chelsea’s Callum Hudson Odoi scored the game’s first goal, then Rennes’ Serhou Guirassy scored a late equalizer. Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud scored the winner in the added time. 

Sevilla defeated Krasnodar, 2-1. Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic scored an early goal followed by an equalizer from Krasnodar’s Wamberto. Sevilla’s Munir El Haddadi scored the winner in the added time. 

Manchester United defeated Istanbul Basaksehir, 4-1. United’s Bruno Fernandes scored two early goals. Then, United was awarded a penalty scored by Marcus Rashford. Basaksehir’s Deniz Turuc scored a goal in the second half followed by a goal from United’s Daniel James.

PSG defeated RB Leipzig, 1-0 after PSG were awarded an early penalty, which Neymar Jr. scored. 

Lazio defeated Zenit St. Petersberg, 3-1. Lazio’s Ciro Immobile scored an early goal followed by a goal from Marco Parolo. Afterward, Zenit’s Artem Dzyuba scored a goal. In the second half, Lazio was awarded a penalty which Immobile scored. 

Borussia Dortmund defeated Club Brugge, 3-0. Dortmund’s Erling Haaland scored the first goal followed by a goal from Jadon Sancho before half time. In the second half, Haaland scored his side’s third goal.

Real Madrid’s star midfielder Eden Hazard is out with a bruised ankle after exiting Tuesday’s Champions League group stage match against Paris Saint Germain. Hazard had to come off in the 68th minute and was replaced by out of favor winger Gareth Bale.

Santiago Siguero of Marca.com spoke to the club this morning and said Hazard has perimalleolar bruising in his injured ankle and will be out for almost ten days, but should be back to face F.C. Barcelona in El Clasico on December 18.

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Hazard originally missed the first three games of the season for Madrid and hinted at being out of shape when he told French newspaper L’Equipe, “When I’m on holiday, I’m on Holiday.  This summer I went up to 80 kilos but managed to lose this in just over ten days.”

Despite criticism earlier this season he was having a productive day on the pitch before being subbed off.

Aside from his good showing against PSG, it has definitely been a disappointing start to his career at the club. In eight appearances Hazard has only scored one goal and assisted on another. Madrid and Head Coach Zinedine Zidane brought him there because he was one of the best attacking midfielders in the world scoring 21 goals in all competitions for Chelsea in last year’s campaign. Hazard joined Madrid last summer after playing seven years in the Barclays Premier League for London-based club, Chelsea F.C.  His 100 million euro transfer fee is the most expensive in club history. Madrid  are 9-1-3 with 28 points and are currently tied for first place in La Liga standings with Barcelona.  The club is going to need him if they want to win another domestic title.