Argentine minister sacked after demanding Messi apology in French race row

Argentinian sports minister Julio Garro has been sacked for suggesting Lionel Messi should apologise over the race row which marred the country’s Copa America triumph.

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez shared a video shortly after Argentina beat Colombia in Miami on Sunday that contained language the French Football Federation described as “racist and discriminatory”.

The video showed Argentina’s players singing a song that questions the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players. 

FIFA are investigating while Chelsea have also launched a probe into the conduct of Fernandez, who apologised yesterday claiming he got “caught up in the euphoria of our celebrations”.

It is not known if Messi participated in the chant but, as captain, it was suggested by Argentina’s sports sub-secretary Julio Garro that he, and Argentinian Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia, should say sorry.

Garro said: “The national team captain must also come out to apologise for this case. The same for the AFA president. 

“I think it is appropriate. It leaves us as a country in a bad position.”

Argentina president Javier Millei took a dim view of Garro’s remarks and a statement on X confirmed he had been dismissed.

The post read: “The Office of the President reports that no government can tell the Argentine National Team, world champions and two-time American champions, or any other citizen, what to comment, what to think or what to do to. For this reason, Julio Garro ceases to be Deputy Secretary of Sports of the Nation.”

La Oficina del Presidente informa que ningún gobierno puede decirle qué comentar, qué pensar o qué hacer a la Selección Argentina Campeona del Mundo y Bicampeona de América, ni a ningún otro ciudadano. Por esta razón, Julio Garro deja de ser Subsecretario de Deportes de la… pic.twitter.com/o4JRC7gGB1

— Oficina del Presidente (@OPRArgentina) July 17, 2024

Bizarrely, Garro then denied making his earlier remarks, saying: “I categorically deny that I have asked Messi to apologise. It would be a lack of respect for those who permanently honour us with their human and sporting quality.”

He also apologised if he caused offence but maintained he stood on the “right side of discrimination’.

Also on X, he wrote: “I want to thank the President Javier Milei for the trust in letting me be part of his team, Guillermo Francos and Daniel Scioli for the work we have carried out together these months and Mauricio Macri for always considering me.

Quiero agradecerle al Presidente @JMilei por la confianza al dejarme ser parte de su equipo de trabajo, a @GAFrancosOk y a @danielscioli por el laburo que llevamos adelante juntos estos meses y a @mauriciomacri por tenerme siempre en cuenta.
Lamento mucho si mi comentario…

— Julio Garro (@JulioGarro) July 18, 2024

“I am very sorry if my comment offended anyone, that was never my intention, and that is why I put my resignation at their disposal, although I will always be on the other side of discrimination in all its forms.

“Thanks to all the staff of the Undersecretariat, CeNARD and Enard for sharing dreams together. I send my wishes for success to the Government on this path of transformation and to all the Olympic and Paralympic athletes who will represent us as athletes before the world in Paris 2024.”

Messi, who is undergoing treatment for an ankle injury sustained against Colombia, has yet to comment on the issue.