Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is confident there will be no problems in the squad when midfielder Enzo Fernandez joins up for their pre-season tour next week.
Fernandez was accused of “uninhibited racism” by Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana after livestreaming an offensive song from Argentina’s team bus following their Copa America win over Colombia.
The Argentina midfielder, who was allowed to go on holiday after the tournament, issued a public apology but also reached out to the squad to express regret over his actions.
Fernandez will fly to America to join the Chelsea squad on July 29 to start his pre-season and will see his team-mates for the first time face-to-face since the incident.
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But Maresca is not concerned about any possible split in the camp. When asked if he thought there could be any difficulties, he replied: “I don’t think so to be honest. At the end, they are all human beings. There is no bad intention from any one of them. I don’t think when Enzo is back, we will have any problems. The player and club clarified the situation.
“It’s great the player did the statement to apologise. The club did the same. There is not something to add to the situation. It’s clear and clarified.”
Chelsea released a statement last week confirming they have instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.
Reece James, who was captain under former head coach Mauricio Pochettino last season, hopes everyone can put it behind them.
He added: “It’s obviously a really difficult situation. I think Enzo (Fernandez) quickly acknowledged he did wrong, put his hand up and apologised to the club, the team and the people offended.
“I have spoken to Enzo and everyone involved but those conversations have to stay in house. He hasn’t arrived yet so I don’t know if there is anything to amend. I hope everyone will be on the same page and we can move on from the situation.”
(Top photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
