General
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez Faces Disciplinary Action for Alleged Racist Chant
Chelsea FC has begun disciplinary proceedings against midfielder Enzo Fernandez following his social media post that the French Football Federation (FFF) claims includes a “racist and discriminatory” chant.
On Tuesday, the FFF announced its intention to file a complaint with FIFA regarding a video in which some Argentina squad members sing a song about France’s black players. Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, Wesley Fofana, who has represented France, posted an image of the video on Instagram, calling it “uninhibited racism.”
Fernandez, Chelsea’s record signing at £107m in February 2023, apologized for his involvement, saying, “I am truly sorry for the video I posted as Argentina celebrated winning the Copa America.” He admitted that the song contained offensive language and expressed regret for participating in the chant.
The video features Argentina squad members singing a song that questions the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players. Chelsea and FIFA are both investigating the incident. Chelsea, whose squad includes seven black or mixed-race French players, emphasized its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Chelsea’s statement read: “We acknowledge and appreciate our player’s public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate. The club has instigated an internal disciplinary procedure.”
The FFF plans to contact the Argentine Football Association (AFA) about the video and intends to file a legal complaint for racially offensive remarks. FFF President Philippe Diallo condemned the comments, highlighting their incompatibility with the values of sport and human rights.
FIFA is also looking into the incident. A spokesperson confirmed, “FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone, including players, fans, and officials.”
Chelsea’s statement further affirmed their commitment to diversity and inclusion: “We find 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.”
The Argentine FA has yet to comment on the matter. This incident follows past confrontations between the national teams of France and Argentina, with France defeating Argentina in the 2018 World Cup last 16 and Argentina claiming victory in the 2022 World Cup final.
General
Google Pushes Back Against Potential DOJ Proposal to Sell Chrome
Google has reacted strongly to reports that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) may propose forcing the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser as part of antitrust remedies. The DOJ is expected to present its final recommendations to a judge this week in response to an August ruling that deemed Google a monopoly in online search.
Bloomberg reported the DOJ might also push for new restrictions on Google’s artificial intelligence (AI), Android operating system, and data usage practices. In a statement, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland criticized the proposal, saying, “The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case.”
Mulholland warned that such measures would harm consumers, developers, and U.S. technological leadership at a critical time for innovation.
Chrome is the dominant web browser worldwide, commanding 64.61% of the global market as of October, according to Similarweb. Google’s search engine, with an estimated 90% global market share, benefits significantly from being the default search option in Chrome and other browsers, such as Safari on iPhones.
Judge Amit Mehta previously described default search engine agreements as “extremely valuable real estate” for Google, noting that competitors would need to spend billions to secure similar deals.
The DOJ has hinted at potentially breaking up Google to address concerns over its ability to leverage products like Chrome, the Play Store, and Android to maintain its search monopoly. Final proposals are expected to include remedies aimed at limiting Google’s dominance across multiple platforms.
Google remains firm in its opposition, maintaining that the proposed measures would negatively impact users and innovation. The outcome of the DOJ’s recommendations will shape the future of antitrust enforcement in the tech industry.
General
Switzerland and Italy Redraw Alpine Border as Melting Glaciers Shift Boundaries
Switzerland and Italy have been compelled to redraw sections of their shared border in the Alps due to the ongoing effects of melting glaciers, driven by climate change. The revised boundary will affect areas near the iconic Matterhorn, one of Europe’s highest peaks, and regions close to well-known ski resorts such as Zermatt.
The Swiss-Italian border is traditionally defined by glacier ridgelines or perpetual snow areas. However, as glaciers shrink, these natural demarcations have shifted, prompting both nations to adjust the border accordingly. A draft agreement was reached in May 2023 by a joint commission, and Switzerland officially approved the changes last Friday, with Italy’s final approval still pending.
The new borders, which will impact locations like Plateau Rosa, the Carrel refuge, and Gobba di Rollin, aim to address the practical needs of both countries, particularly in terms of maintaining natural areas. The clarified boundaries will also help resolve responsibility for managing these regions as the landscape continues to evolve.
Melting glaciers have revealed a number of surprising discoveries in recent years, including the remains of a German climber missing since 1986, found last July near the Matterhorn. Such discoveries highlight the rapid rate at which the glaciers are retreating and the broader impacts of climate change on the region.
General
Martinez Banned for ‘Offensive Behaviour’ by FIFA
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA for “offensive behaviour” during recent World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.
The suspension stems from two separate incidents. In the 3-0 win over Chile on September 6, Martinez controversially repeated his provocative celebration from the 2022 World Cup by holding a replica Copa America trophy against his crotch. This was Argentina’s first match since their Copa America victory in the United States in July.
Four days later, after Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia on September 10, Martinez hit a camera with his gloves as a cameraman approached him on the pitch.
The Argentina Football Association expressed disagreement with the suspension but acknowledged that Martinez was “responsible” for his actions. The ban means Martinez will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia in October.
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