Fernandez will miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and the Premier League fixture with Manchester City on April 12. Manager Liam Rosenior confirmed the sanction on Friday, stating a line was crossed regarding the club's culture. The 25-year-old midfielder previously expressed a desire to live in Madrid during the international break.
Rosenior described the public comments as disappointing but noted he has no bad words to say about the player personally. Fernandez had been serving as vice-captain and wearing the armband in the absence of injured defender Reece James. Chelsea's record signing remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032, per Reuters.
The decision follows a period of poor form for the club, including a Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain in March. Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League table after 31 matches, according to the official Premier League website. The Argentine midfielder has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for a fee exceeding £100m.
