A former Spanish prime minister faces racism accusations from French and Spanish officials after claiming France's World Cup squad "does not have any French players."
Mariano Rajoy, of Spain’s conservative Popular Party, made incendiary remarks in a column for El Debate on 10 July, ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final.
He wrote: "They’ve won every match they’ve played at this World Cup and are currently top of the Fifa rankings. They also have an exceptionally strong squad. That said, one thing they don’t have is any French players."
Condemnation from Paris was swift. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told BFM TV on Monday that "France has no skin colour. Any contrary claim stems from stupidity, racism or a combination of the two."
French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo stated on X: "Mariano Rajoy’s remarks about the French team carry intolerable whiffs of racism," adding that "they also raise questions about the deplorable climate that gives rise to such sentiments. Our players do not need a certificate of nationality from a former Spanish prime minister."
Spain’s ruling Socialist government denounced the comments from Rajoy, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2018.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming his predecessor, posted on X on Sunday: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we’ll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares further urged Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo to publicly disavow Rajoy's statements on Monday.
This is not the first time the French team has faced racially charged remarks this World Cup. Earlier this month, French captain Kylian Mbappé criticised Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla for comments regarding his origins, upbringing, education, and appearance following France’s victory over Paraguay in the round of 16.
France will play Spain in Dallas on Tuesday, with the winner set to face England or Argentina in Sunday’s final.
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