Hugo Lloris feels Argentina’s status as South American and world champions means they have “even more responsibility” to stand against discrimination and racism.
Former France captain Lloris was speaking in response to a video posted on social media by Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez which showed Argentina players singing a song that questions the heritage of France’s black and mixed-race players.
The world game’s governing body FIFA are investigating the video, shot in the aftermath of Argentina’s Copa America final win over Colombia on Sunday, while Chelsea are also examining Fernandez’s conduct.
Fernandez has apologised and said he got “caught up in the euphoria of our celebrations”, but Lloris says that is no excuse.
He told the BBC: “It doesn’t matter if you are in a moment of euphoria because you have won an important trophy.
“It demands even more responsibility when you are a winner.
“You don’t want to hear or see this kind of thing in football. We all stand against discrimination and racism.
“I just think and hope it is a mistake. We all make mistakes sometimes and hopefully they will learn from it.”
Chelsea’s France defender Wesley Fofana described the video as “uninhibited racism” and Lloris, who now plays for Los Angeles FC, says it was a “proper attack on French people”.
He added: “”They [Argentina] are the face of football right now, in South America, in the world. They deserve a lot of credit for what they have done on the field for the last four or five years.
“But when you win, you are an example for others, especially kids.
“It was a proper attack about the French people, especially for the French people who have some African origin and family.”
The song was first sung by Argentina fans attending the Qatar World Cup two years ago when Lionel Scaloni’s side beat France, with Lloris in goal, in the final in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw.
