Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has faced widespread criticism after claiming that France’s national football team did not contain any French players ahead of its World Cup semifinal against Spain.
Rajoy, who led Spain between 2011 and 2018 and remains a member of the conservative Popular Party, made the controversial statement in a column published by Spanish outlet El Debate. While acknowledging France’s unbeaten World Cup campaign, top FIFA ranking and strong squad, he suggested the team lacked genuinely French players.
The remarks prompted strong condemnation from political and football figures in both France and Spain, who accused the former leader of questioning players’ nationality because of their ethnic backgrounds.
French midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery said France’s squad reflected the diversity of the country. He stressed that the players came from different backgrounds but remained united as one national team.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot delivered an even sharper response, arguing that French identity was not determined by skin colour. He said suggestions to the contrary reflected racism, ignorance or both.
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