Argentina official fired for calling on Messi to apologise

Argentina’s deputy head of sports, Julio Garro, was fired after he called on national team captain Lionel Messi to apologise for a racist song sung by other national team players, the press service of the head of state reported in X.

“The Office of the President informs that no government can tell the Argentina national team, which has become world champion and two-time winner of the Copa America, what to say, what to think or what to do, just like any other citizen. For this reason, Julio Garro is no longer the Deputy Secretary of Sports,” the statement said.

Earlier, during the celebration of the victory in the America’s Cup, the Argentines sang a song on the bus, which mocked the African origin of the French national team players. A fragment of it was broadcast live on social networks by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez. He and his teammates sang: “They play for France, but they are all from Angola.” The footballer later apologized. Messi himself, like a number of other footballers, were not on the bus at the time the song was performed.