Enzo Maresca does not expect any problems welcoming Enzo Fernandez back to Chelsea next week despite the racism storm sparked by the midfielder.
Fernandez was accused of “uninhibited racism” by Chelsea team-mate Wesley Fofana after posting a video of Argentina players singing a racist and homophobic song.
The incident threatens to divide the Chelsea dressing room but Maresca has defended Fernandez and is confident there will be no split in the squad.
Fernandez has apologised publicly and privately to his team-mates, and will see them face-to-face when he joins up with the Chelsea squad on their pre-season tour of America on Monday.
Chelsea have said they are investigating “an internal disciplinary procedure” and FIFA are also looking into the incident.
Speaking overnight in his first press conference as Chelsea boss, Maresca said: “At the end, they are all human beings. There is no bad intention from any one of them.
“I don’t think when Enzo is back, we will have any problems. The player and club clarified the situation. It’s great the player did the statement to apologise. The club did the same. There is not something to add to the situation. It’s clear and clarified.
“He is not a bad human being. It can happen. I don’t think there are any problems at all.”
In a separate interview with ESPN, Maresca said of Fernandez: “Good guy, good person, good human being. There was not any bad intention.”
Chelsea captain Reece James said: “Enzo acknowledged he did wrong and apologised to the club and the team.
“I have spoken to Enzo and everyone involved but those conversations have to stay in-house.”
