Enzo Fernandez: 12 most abhorrent instances of racism in recent footballing history

Racist incidents in football continue to plague the sport at all levels. The most recent episode transpired following Argentina's triumph in the just concluded Copa America in the United States, when the entire Argentinean squad reportedly chanted racial slurs at the French national squad while travelling by team bus.

Premier League record signing Enzo Fernandez, who recorded the encounter and shared it online, has received the majority of the attention with Wesley Fofana unabashedly criticising his club teammate on social media. "Football in 2024: uninhibited racism," was the Frenchman's to the video. 

Following that, he joined a group of players who unfollowed Fernandez on social media, including Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto, and Axel Disasi.

Despite a public apology from Fernandez and a strongly worded club statement, striker Fofana also spoke out against his teammate, stating that racism "has no place in football." In the aftermath of the fallout, Zonal Sports has compiled a list of the most egregious racist incidents in football history this century.

Vinicius jr.

After being the subject of at least ten racist incidents documented by La Liga since 2021, Vinicius finally spoke out on May 21, 2023. In a game against Valencia, a Mestalla fan yelled racial slurs and obscenities at the Brazilian who tracked him down and confronted him.

A large portion of the crowd booed the Brazilian when he pointed at the culprit, delaying action for more than nine minutes.

The stadium's public address system had to issue two warnings to the crowd: once for insults and again for hurling objects near the touchline, while La Liga referee, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, warned the Valencia field delegate that the game would not continue until the disrespectful chanting stopped.

The league and Valencia identified two supporters who shouted "monkey" at the Real Madrid player and proceeded to permanently revoke their season tickets.

Oguchi Onyewu

During a 2009 match between Standard Liege and Anderlecht, Belgian van Damme of the opposing team, was accused of calling Oguchi Onyewu a "dirty monkey," prompting Oguchi to file a lawsuit.

However, after meeting with the now remorseful perpetrator in 2011, Onyewu dropped the case.

Anton Ferdinand

On November 2, 2011, following an altercation between the two during a game between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers, the Blues' John Terry faced accusations of shouting a racial epithet at his opponent, Anton Ferdinand.

Following this, the FA investigated the matter, found Terry guilty, and fined him £220,000 in addition to suspending him for four matches.

Jonathan Leko

During an English second division championship game in September 2019, Everton goalkeeper Kiko Casilla used racial slurs against Charlton's Jonathan Leko, prompting an eight-game ban from the FA.

Moussa Marega

In 2010, Vitoria Guimaraes, a Portuguese team, faced a fine of approximately 20,000 euros due to their fans' racial abuse of Moussa Marega whenever he touched the ball.

The player even attempted to leave the field of play, but was stopped by the referee and other players.

Peter Odemwingie

Peter Odemwingie moved from Lokomotiv Moscow to West Bromwich Albion on August 20, 2010, leaving the Moscow club's fan base understandably upset by the move (or, more accurately, the player's actions).

For the next game, several Railwaymen fans flew a banana-themed banner that read, "Thank you, West Brom." 

The Russian disciplinary committee failed to issue any act of punishment against these supporters.

Kevin Prince Boateng

This incident, which occurred during a friendly match between AC Milan and fourth-tier team Pro Patria, began when the lower league supporters began chanting racist slogans, primarily at Kevin Prince Boateng but also at other players such as Emanuelson, Muntari, and Nyang—all of whom refused to continue—resulting in the match's suspension.

Due to these circumstances, six Pro Patria supporters received prison sentences ranging from forty days to two months.

Ashley Cole and Shawn Wright-Phillips

This racist incident happened on November 17, 2004, during a friendly between England and Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in a match part of La Roja's 500th anniversary celebrations at international level.

Despite winning the match 1-0, Spain's supporters let racist chants against Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips undermine the respect and decorum they had demonstrated earlier. 

Thierry Henry

During his tenure as head coach of the Spanish national team in 2004, the esteemed Aragonés was overheard admonishing player Juan Antonio Reyes, "You must believe in yourself! You are better than this black shit!"

The latter phrase referred to Reyes' Arsenal teammate, Frenchman Thierry Henry, statements which Aragonese did not get away with.

Following an outcry from the British press, Aragones was fined approximately two thousand euros. 

Marcel Desailly

On April 21, 2004, ITV, a well-known British media company, fired Ron Atkinson, a former England player and coach, for making racially charged remarks about Chelsea player Marcel Desailly's poor performance.

The pundit labelled him "a fucking lazy, thick nigger," and he was never able to redeem himself after that.

Patrice Evra

In the 62nd minute Liverpool November 15, 2011 match against Manchester United, Suarez faced accusations of racially insulting Evra after the latter pointed at him during a corner.

Despite the full support of the Liverpool team, the Football Association's independent investigation led to a guilty verdict for Suarez, who received a £40,000 fine and an eight-game suspension.

Paolo Di Canio

In January 2005, Di Canio sparked controversy when he performed the Roman salute at Lazio fans, a gesture illegal in many European countries. 

Following this incident, in which he declared that he was a fascist, not a racist, Di Canio received a 7,000 euro fine and a one-match suspension.