Ahead of the World Cup semi-final against France, Spain’s former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy launched an attack on the French national team, claiming it fields no “French players”.
Mariano Rajoy of the conservative Partido Popular served as Spain’s Prime Minister from 2011 to 2018.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the wording as “absolutely unacceptable”. Spain’s current Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, responded to Rajoy with an appeal, according to Die Welt.
Rajoy made the remarks that sparked the controversy in an article published in El Debate:
They have won every match they have played in this World Cup and are currently number one in the FIFA rankings. They also have a top-class squad. That said, they have no French players. And they play very well. They will be a formidable opponent.
The comment was perceived as racist and xenophobic.
Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, responded on X.
“Mariano Rajoy’s remarks about the French national team demonstrate unacceptable racism. They also raise questions about the regrettable climate that allows such a stench to flourish. Our players do not need certificates of citizenship from a former Spanish prime minister.”
Interior Minister Nuñez told BFMTV:
“This is completely unacceptable; it is completely contrary to France’s values.”
Prime Minister Sánchez linked to a post on X containing a number of critical comments about Rajoy, and wrote:
“Some people still define belonging by surname, place of birth or skin colour. Others of us define it by our deep attachment to a country and our willingness to stand up for it. By playing football. By caring for our elderly. Or by starting businesses.”
Spain belongs to those who love the country, Sánchez argued.
“Not to those who humiliate it with xenophobic remarks. France, we’ll see you in the semi-final. May the best team win, and may racism lose.”