Argentina sports undersecretary Julio Garro has been sacked for asking Lionel Messi to apologize
The Argentine government has reportedly sacked the country’s Sports undersecretary Julio Garro for asking Messi to apologize about the ‘racist chants controversy’, following an official release by Argentine president Javier Milei.
Javier Milei’s actions have seemingly received support from his vice-president Victoria Villarruel, who went out to acknowledge it on X.
Who is Argentina Sports undersecretary Julio Garro fired for asking Lionel Messi to apologize for viral football team racist chant video
The vice-president also supported Enzo Fernandez’s recent apology after the Chelsea winger posted a video of the incident on his Instagram.
Javier Milei sacks Sports undersecretary Julio Garro
The Argentine government on Wednesday night announced that it had ousted Julio Garro from his position as Sports undersecretary. The move comes in response to the official asking for an apology from Lionel Messi and the Argentine National Team.
Javier who is known for his political closeness to Mauricio Macri, took on the post of Sports undersecretary under Daniel Scioli’s term, after a long vacancy. He was called to multiple interviews over the present of Argentine football, when he made the statements that angered the followers of the libertarian President.
The President’s Office issued an official press release on its social networks stating:
no government can tell what to comment, what to think or what to do to the World Champion and Double Americas Champion Argentine National Team, or to any other citizen. For this reason, Garro is no longer Sports undersecretary”
Garro had earlier demanded an apology from Argentine national team captain Lionel Messi due to his teammates’ racist chants. The National team players were celebrating their victory over Colombia at the Copa América final when they sang the racist chants.
Julio Garro stated in a radio interview:
I believe the captain of the Team (in reference to Lionel Messi) should apologise, as should the president of the AFA Argentine Football Association. I think it would be the proper thing to do and I agree with you, it’s something that makes the country look bad with so much glory and it would be good to make an example of this.”
Garro faces backlash for denying about asking Messi for apology
Interestingly, despite the evidence against him, Garro took back his words on X, and even denied having asked Messi for an apology. He stated:
I categorically deny I have asked Messi for an apology. It would be disrespectful to someone who constantly honours us with his human and sporting quality.”
He stated this despite the video of his words trending on X. To his defence, Garro had reasserted that his opinions were merely personal and he was not speaking for the government.
Despite this several trolls have started lashing against Garro, with an X user stating:
You said it on the air, bro”
Several investigations underway
Meanwhile, the recent controversy surrounding the racist chants have insinuated several investigations. Chelsea Football Club, where Enzo Fernández plays, have already begun internal proceedings to assess possible sanctions against the winger. The French Football Federation is also currently considering taking legal action against the AFA for alleged racist acts. FIFA have also started an investigation after learning about the controversial video.