Former Spain PM criticised for ‘xenophobic’ remark on French World Cup team

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has been widely criticized for an opinion piece published on the Spanish website El Debate. In the piece, written ahead of Spain's World Cup semifinal match against France, Rajoy stated that the French national football team had "no French players." This remark has drawn condemnation from both Spanish and French politicians. Spain's current Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, labeled the comment "xenophobic," while French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez called it "absolutely unacceptable." Other officials, including Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente and French Communist party leader Fabien Roussel, also denounced Rajoy's statement, with Roussel comparing it to previous racist remarks made about French player Kylian Mbappe.

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has been accused of racism for stating in a World Cup newspaper column that the French national team "does not have any French players." The remarks, made in an article for El Debate, have drawn strong rebukes from political leaders in both Spain and France. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized those who "measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour," while French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deemed Rajoy's comments "completely unacceptable" and contrary to the diverse nature of France. Other French politicians echoed these sentiments, drawing comparisons to a previous racist remark made by a Paraguayan senator about Kylian Mbappé.