After controversial song during Copa América title celebration, Argentina’s Undersecretary of Sports calls out Messi and is fired
The controversial singing at the celebration of Argentina of winning the Copa América continues to yield chapters. After demanding a position from Lionel Messi and the president of the AFA, the country’s Undersecretary of Sports, Julio Garrowas dismissed from his post by the government last Wednesday, the 17th.
It all started when the national team’s players sang a song with racist and xenophobic lyrics during the celebrations for the continental title. Given the negative repercussion, Garro stated that the team captain and the president of the football federation should apologize for what happened.
The Office of the President informs that no one in the government can decide what to comment, what to think or what to do with the Selección Argentina Campeona del Mundo y Bicampeona de América, not to anyone else. For this reason, Julio Garro no longer serves as Undersecretary of Sports there… pic.twitter.com/o4JRC7gGB1
— Oficina del Presidente (@OPRArgentina) July 17, 2024
“I think the captain (Messi) of the national team and the president of the AFA (Argentine Football Association) (Claudio Tapia) should apologize. It is appropriate. This (the controversy) leaves us in a bad situation with so much glory.“, said the then national government official.
Some time later, the office of President Javier Milei issued a statement about the dismissal: “The Office of the President reports that no government can tell the Argentine National Team, World Champion and two-time American Champion, or any other citizen what to say, what to think, or what to do. For this reason, Julio Garro is no longer the Undersecretary of Sports of the Nation.“
In a statement after the news, Julio Garro once again expressed his gratitude to the president for the opportunity to participate in his government, and regretting the negative repercussions of his comment: “I am sorry if my comment offended anyone, that was never my intention, and that is why I have offered my resignation, although I will always be on the other side of discrimination in all its forms..”
The main person affected by the controversy was Enzo Fernandezwho has faced a lot of criticism and seen colleagues Chelseablack and French, unfollowed him on social media. The English club released a statement reprimanding him for the act and stating that an internal process had been opened to investigate the Argentine.
Source: sportbuzz
I am William Jackson and I have a passion for sports journalism. With over 3 years of experience in the industry, I have worked in a variety of roles to improve the quality and accuracy of sports news coverage. As an author at Athletistic, I specialize in covering football news and providing comprehensive analysis for fans around the world.
