‘Argentina’s Copa Victory Tarnished by Controversial Song’ Argentina’s Copa America victory has been marred by controversy surrounding their post-match celebrations.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is facing disciplinary action after sharing a video on social media, which the French Football Federation alleges contained “racist and discriminatory language.” FIFA has launched its own investigation into the video, where several members of the Argentine squad participated in singing a song originally sung by fans that questioned the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players, following their 1-0 win over Colombia in the final.
The global fallout from the incident prompted a response from the Argentine government. Javier Milei’s right-wing administration, typically unsympathetic to “woke” causes, was drawn into the controversy. Julio Garro, the under-secretary for sports, called for team captain Lionel Messi and FA president Claudio Tapia to apologize for the song, which he said tarnished Argentina’s image. Garro’s comments led to his dismissal on Wednesday, though others have rejected the notion of an apology.
This incident underscores a persistent issue in Argentine football. During continental club competitions against Brazilian teams, Argentine fans have been known to make monkey gestures, which they often dismiss as “banter” rather than racism. Efforts by Argentine clubs to address this behavior have been half-hearted, often euphemized as “xenophobia” rather than confronting the racism directly.
Particularly troubling is that some players themselves have been involved in such behavior. Despite most of the squad being based in Europe and part of diverse teams, their participation in discriminatory actions reflects poorly on their understanding and behavior. This raises concerns about how such incidents will be addressed within their clubs and teams moving forward.
Why do they do it?
One of the appeals of national team duty for these players is the opportunity to unite with peers from their own culture and sing traditional songs together.
It allows them to express their Argentine identity passionately and assertively.
While many elements of Argentina’s fan culture are captivating, the lyrics of a specific song, originating from the Qatar World Cup final where Argentina triumphed over France on penalties, have sparked significant concern.
These songs not only risk offending their black teammates and fans, but also disrespect their own cultural heritage.
In Argentina today, it’s uncommon to encounter someone of black descent. However, this hasn’t always been the case.
During the era of Spanish colonial rule, Argentina imported far fewer enslaved Africans compared to neighboring Brazil, and abolished slavery decades earlier. Nevertheless, around two hundred years ago, Buenos Aires was approximately one-third black.
What happened to this population?
There are several theories explaining the decline of black population in Argentina, from yellow fever outbreaks to casualties during the war for independence. However, the most plausible explanation is the overwhelming influx of millions of immigrants from Europe and the Middle East, particularly Italy, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Despite the diminished presence, African heritage remains visible in Argentina’s gene pool. People with darker skin are often affectionately referred to as ‘el negro’, devoid of any negative connotations.
The African influence has profoundly shaped Argentina’s cultural landscape, most notably through tango, the country’s most significant cultural export. The word ‘tango’ itself is of African origin, and its music and dance represent a fusion of African, European, and indigenous styles, typical of many American genres.
Initially viewed as a lower-class form of expression, tango was initially scorned by the Argentine elite until it gained popularity in Paris in the early 20th century, thereby gaining legitimacy.
Interestingly, unlike football in Argentina, which began as an elite pursuit and filtered down through society, tango, akin to samba in Brazil, originated from the lower echelons of society and rose to prominence.
A close friend of mine is a black Uruguayan sociologist who lived in Buenos Aires for years without encountering any issues. His keen awareness of such matters might suggest otherwise.
However, the mass migration of European immigrants to the southern cone of South America was part of an explicitly racist agenda. During that era, eugenic theories were in vogue, promoting the belief in the superiority of certain “races.”
Leaders in South America actively sought to “improve” and “civilize” their nations by importing a white workforce. Consequently, the substantial presence of European descendants in Argentina today can be traced back to these racist ideologies.
The notion of racial hierarchy has persisted over time and recently surfaced in disturbing lyrics of a song that tarnished the achievements of some Argentine players on Sunday.
