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ENZO FERNANDEZ has been pictured with his Chelsea team-mates for the first time as the club try to draw a line under his race row.
Fernandez apologised for streaming a video of himself and his Argentina team-mates singing a racist and homophobic chant about France’s black players.
He was condemned by Blues colleague Wesley Fofana for the the “uninhibited racism” – with the video angering a number of the Chelsea squad.
But Fernandez made public and private apologies as he linked up with the Chelsea side for their pre-season tour of America.
The club-record signing has also been snapped with the squad as new Blues boss Enzo Maresca looks to unite his squad.
Fernandez this week had lunch with his team-mates for the first time after offering a face-to-face apology at their St. Regis hotel.
That was in addition to his public statement and private messages.
Fernandez will also make a donation to an anti-discrimination charity which Chelsea will match.
Captain Reece James and five-cap France international Axel Disasi held talks with Fernandez to try and smooth things over.
And defender Levi Colwill said: “We’re a team. We moved forward together and that is what we are going to do.
“Everything that has happened stays between us. I am really excited to get to work and that we have a really good season.
“We all know Enzo is a good person and works well for the team.”
Yet Fifa chiefs are still investigating the video of the racist chant – which could eventually lead to an FA ban – as well as considering a legal complaint from the French Football Association.
Chelsea’s pre-season started with a 2-2 draw with Wrexham and 4-1 loss to Celtic.
They play Club America at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta next and do so having welcomed new £20.7m keeper Filip Jorgensen – Sun.
Online Reporter
Mathew Masinge