Revealed: Why Lionel Messi was not on the Argentina team bus

England 1-3 Senegal: Thomas Tuchel suffers his first defeat as Three Lions are booed off following dire display
Liverpool have NOT yet reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz despite reports claiming British record £126m fee had been agreed as talks continue
'Are they really all in it together?': Roy Keane tears into England after dismal defeat by Senegal - and delivers classic 'Starbucks' line
There's one perfect way Jack Grealish can save his career and shift the party boy image - and it's not what you might expect, writes IAN HERBERT
Sky Sports are in talks with TV star Roman Kemp over a role within their football coverage next season - as the broadcaster bids to attract new audiences
Roman Abramovich's Chelsea sale, the jaw-dropping inside story: War zones, a poisoning, why Volodymyr Zelensky DIDN'T want Russian tycoon sanctioned ...and how club was days from extinction
England 1-3 Senegal PLAYER RATINGS: Which snoozing star looked his age? And who left Thomas Tuchel frustrated with a poor pass?
Furious Jude Bellingham loses his temper AGAIN as England star hounds official and boots a drinks cooler after having goal disallowed in Senegal defeat
Thomas Tuchel insists 'there's no need to panic' after England's defeat by Senegal - but Harry Kane concedes 'things aren't clicking' in worrying admission
I've been all over the world watching cricket for decades - these are the top 20 grounds you must go to before you die, writes Wisden Editor LAWRENCE BOOTH
Rayan Cherki, Manchester City's divisive new 'genius': Why coaches are split on £34m superstar - and why he is key to Pep Guardiola's rebuild after slipping through United's fingers
Inside the world's HARDEST golf course: Why Oakmont is destined to test Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau's sanity over four agonising days at the US Open
Why Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou split was right, even if it feels awfully wrong to most and borderline obscene - his sacking is the modern-day epitome of the industry's callousness, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI
Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens left furious after move to Chelsea ahead of the Club World Cup collapses
Sporting Lisbon boss breaks silence on Viktor Gyokeres' future - with the Man United target 'furious over the Portuguese club's U-turn on his £84m release clause'
Can Steve Smith get off to flyer in the World Test Championship final against South Africa? He is 3/1 favourite to score most first-innings runs for Australia
Man City complete the £34m signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon - with five-year deal announced just as special transfer window for Club World Cup closed
Bryson DeChambeau reveals latest on LIV future and hints at HUGE new contract: 'I know my worth'
Inside the Man United reshuffle: Why 'rare breed' Jason Wilcox can now finally bring his Man City success to Old Trafford and the truth about Dave Brailsford's future, reveals MIKE KEEGAN
Roy Keane brands Kyle Walker 'LAZY' after Senegal blunder that saw England concede their first goal under Thomas Tuchel
Harry Kane and Ian Wright hit out at 'crazy' decision to deny England a late equaliser in Senegal defeat - as the Three Lions captain insists: 'If you know the rules, it's not handball'
Former Wimbledon champions looks unrecogniseable as she dazzles at event in Italy five years after retiring from tennis
Real Betis want further talks with Man United over a deal for Antony - as LaLiga side propose ANOTHER loan with a £35m option to buy
Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko makes transfer decision amid Saudi Arabia interest in the Bundesliga star

Lionel Messi was substituted in the 66th minute of the match with an injury
Enzo Fernandez has been criticised for singing a racist chant on the team bus
LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Why did Gareth Southgate’s side look so exhausted?

Published: 05:24 EDT, 17 July 2024 | Updated: 06:11 EDT, 17 July 2024

e-mail

Lionel Messi led his Argentina side to Copa America glory on Monday, but their victory has been thrown into controversy after several of their players, including Enzo Fernandez, have been accused of 'uninhibited racism'.

It came after the Chelsea midfielder posted a video on social media that appeared to show the players singing a discriminatory song on the team bus.

The side were celebrating their Copa America victory against Colombia, with Lautaro Martinez's strike in extra-time sealing the victory for Lionel Scaloni's team.

Several players were seemingly overheard singing a chant that claimed France's players were 'all from Angola' or have a 'Nigerian' mother and a 'Cameroonian' father on the team bus away from the ground.

Fernandez had posted the video clip on his social media, showing the team singing the song and has subsequently been slammed by his Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has both French and African heritage, reposted the clip on Twitter, writing the caption: 'Football in 2024: uninhibited racism.'

Enzo Fernandez filmed a video of the Argentina team singing a racist chant about France

Argentina were crowned Copa America winners on Monday but have since been condemned for a chant sung on the team bus

Some fans have questioned whether Lionel Messi was on the bus when the chats took place.

The Inter Miami star had started the match but was substituted with an ankle injury in the 66th minute of the game.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was later seen sat in the technical area, resting ice on his ankle, which had swollen up to twice in size. The Argentina footballer pictured in tears on the sideline as his team played out the final but ultimately secured victory.

EXCLUSIVE
Insiders reveal what England's Euro campaign was REALLY like - and where it went wrong:

According to ESPN, while his team-mates returned to Buenos Aires on Monday, Messi had stayed in Miami where he currently plays and appears to have not been on the team bus.

'Messi remained in Miami, where the final was played, to have treatment on a right ankle injury picked up in the game.'

Alexis Mac Allster was also not on the bus, according to reports in Argentina.

He had also given an update over his condition on Instagram, writing: 'The Copa América is over and the first thing I want is to thank everyone for the messages and greetings.

'I'm fine, thank God, and I hope I can soon be on the pitch again enjoying what I like to do most. I am happy, very happy, especially because we achieved the goal we had and Fide [Di Maria] leaves us but with another Cup.

Lionel Messi was reportedly not on the Argentina team bus and has reportedly stayed in Miami

Alexis Mac Allister (pictured) was also not on the bus according to reports in Argentina

Wesley Fofana reposted the video via X alongside the words: 'Football in 2024: uninhibited racism'

Chelsea have since condemned the video published online of Fernandez, claiming they have launched an internal disciplinary review (the Argentina team bus, pictured)

Messi is understood not to have been on the team bus when the chants were sung having been injured during the final

Lionel Messi sobbed on the bench after suffering a gruesome injury in the Copa America final

'The older ones, like him, [Nicolás] Ota [Otamendi] or me, experienced it [Copa América] with special emotion, with other teammates who have already played several tournaments and added their experience as well, and with a group of young people who give their all in every ball.'

Enzo Fernandez accused of 'uninhibited racism' by Chelsea team-mate as club investigate video

Inter Miami have subsequently released a fresh update on his ankle injury, stating that the forward has sustained a ligament injury in his right ankle.

An official statement from the MLS club read: 'Inter Miami CF has provided an injury update presented by Baptist Health for captain Leo Messi.

'After a medical evaluation, it has been determined that Leo Messi has suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle. The captain's availability will be determined by periodic assessments and the progress of his recovery.'

Chelsea, meanwhile, are facing a major dressing room revolt from the video with sources close to their players telling Mail Sport that their French contingent, which includes Fofana, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are furious with Fernandez.

Fofana, Disasi and Gusto have all unfollowed the Argentina midfielder on Instagram.

Messi took to Instagram to confirm that he was 'doing well' and thanked fans for supporting Argentina

Despite the ankle injury, Messi went on to hoist the Copa America trophy after Lautaro Martinez's late strike

On Tuesday evening, Fernandez posted an apology which read: 'I want to apologise for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.

Lionel Messi breaks silence on grim injury as Argentina teammates return home after Copa America win

'The song includes highly offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for these words. I stand against discrimination in all forms and apologise for getting caught up in the euphoria of our Copa America celebrations.

'That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.'

Chelsea meanwhile have also issued a statement to condemn the behaviour of their player, Fernandez, and have started a disciplinary procedure internally.

'Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour completely unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome,' began the club's statement.