Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is under fire for remarks he made regarding the composition of the French national football team. In an opinion piece published on July 12, 2026, on the Spanish news site El Debate, Rajoy claimed that the team had “no French players” just days before their critical World Cup semifinal against Spain.
Political Leaders Condemn Rajoy's Remarks
The comments sparked outrage from current Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who labeled Rajoy's statement as “xenophobic.” Sanchez expressed his views on social media, stating, “There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it.” He emphasized that “Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it,” distancing himself from Rajoy's rhetoric.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente also criticized Rajoy, calling him a “post-Franco idiot.” The backlash extended beyond Spain, with French politicians voicing their disapproval of Rajoy's comments.
French Politicians Respond to Rajoy's Statements
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described Rajoy's remarks as “absolutely unacceptable” during an interview on BFMTV. The controversy drew comparisons to previous remarks made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla, who faced backlash for her comments about French star player Kylian Mbappe.
- Rajoy's comment: “no French players”
- Sanchez's response: “xenophobic”
- Nunez's reaction: “absolutely unacceptable”
Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel criticized Rajoy’s statement, highlighting the “disgusting racism” that permeates such comments. Anti-discrimination Minister Aurore Berge called for an end to the “repeated racist outbursts,” urging that sports should focus on talent rather than background.
France's Official Response to Rajoy's Remarks
France's Minister for Overseas Territories, Naima Moutchou, stated that Rajoy's comments reflect “systematic and widespread hatred” towards France. She remarked, “Every time Les Bleus win, the same racist obsessions and insults re-emerge.” Meanwhile, French Socialist party leader Olivier Faure asserted that “France has no skin colour or religion,” reinforcing the idea of unity within diversity.
In response to the controversy, the French embassy in Madrid emphasized that all players on the French team are indeed French, noting that of the 26 players, 23 were born in France. Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, condemned Rajoy's comments for carrying an “intolerable undertone of racism.”
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
