MADRID (AP) 鈥� A former Spanish prime minister is facing criticism for saying that France’s team 鈥渄oes not have any French players,” which French and Spanish leaders have called racist.
Mariano Rajoy, a member of Spain鈥檚 conservative Popular Party, made the comment in a column for Spanish outlet El Debate ahead of Tuesday鈥檚 World Cup semifinal match between the European neighbors.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e won every match they鈥檝e 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鈥檛 have is any French players,” Rajoy wrote on July 10.
On Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-No毛l Barrot told French broadcaster BFM TV that 鈥淔rance has no skin color. Any contrary claim stems from stupidity, racism or a combination of the two.”
A day earlier, French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo wrote on X that 鈥淢ariano Rajoy鈥檚 remarks about the French team carry intolerable whiffs of racism,鈥� adding that 鈥渢hey 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.鈥�
A spokesperson from Rajoy’s Popular Party on Monday said the remarks were sarcastic and made without malice.
鈥淭hese columns are written without ill intent,鈥� spokesperson Borja S茅mper said. 鈥淭his expression is used without ill intent.鈥�
Spain’s ruling Socialist government swiftly condemned the remarks by Rajoy, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2018.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Pedro S谩nchez referenced the comments without naming his predecessor, writing on X: 鈥淭here 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鈥檒l see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose.”
France will face Spain on Tuesday at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. France midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery was asked about the comments the day before the game in a news conference at the venue and said he hadn’t seen them.
鈥淭his French team has players from different backgrounds and origins,鈥� Zaire-Emery said through a translator. 鈥淪o does the country. We are a united group, a united team, and that鈥檚 all that matters.鈥�
Spanish Foreign Minister Jos茅 Manuel Albares also spoke out Monday, saying the Popular Party’s leader, Alberto N煤帽ez Feij贸o, needed to disavow the remarks.
It’s not the first time France’s team has faced racism during this year’s World Cup.
Earlier this month, France captain and star player over remarks she made following Paraguay鈥檚 loss to France in the round of 16.
Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay鈥檚 Liberal Radical Party, posted a series of comments on X mocking the French player鈥檚 origins, upbringing, education and appearance after France won on July 4 with a penalty by Mbapp茅.
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