Argentina sack undersecretary who demanded apology from Messi

Argentina's undersecretary for sports Julio Garro was sacked on Thursday after demanding an apology from Lionel Messi for the racist chants during the national team's celebrations after winning the Copa America.

A video shared by Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez on Instagram showed him and his teammates singing racist and discriminatory chants, directed at players of African descent in the France team.

While it was unclear whether Messi, the captain of the team, was part of the controversial footage, Garro demanded an apology from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"The national team captain [Messi] must also come out to apologise for this case. The same for AFA [Argentina Football Association] president. I think it is appropriate," Garro had said in radio statements.

Shortly after the statements were aired, Argentina president Javier Millei's office announced on social media that Garro had been removed from his position.

"No government can dictate what to comment, what to think or what to do to the Argentine National Team, World Champion and Two-time American Champion, or to any other citizen. For this reason, Julio Garro ceases to be Undersecretary of Sports of the Nation," he wrote on X.

Garro then issued an apology saying, "offending anyone 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."

Messi is yet to issue a response.