Ex-Spanish PM Rajoy accused of racism over claim France squad has 'no French players'

Former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy is facing racism accusations from officials in both France and Spain after claiming in a newspaper column that France’s World Cup squad “does not have any French players.”

Rajoy, a senior figure in Spain’s conservative Popular Party who served as prime minister from 2011 to 2018, made the remarks in a piece for El Debate published on 10 July, ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final between France and Spain in Dallas.

In the column, Rajoy acknowledged France’s strength as a side before adding: “That said, one thing they don’t have is any French players.”

The response from Paris was immediate. 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 was equally direct, writing on X: “Mariano Rajoy’s remarks about the French team carry intolerable whiffs of racism. 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 also moved to distance itself from the comments. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, without naming Rajoy directly, posted on X: “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. 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 went further, calling on Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo to publicly disavow Rajoy’s statements.

The controversy is not the first of its kind to surround France at this World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, French captain Kylian Mbappé publicly criticised Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla over remarks targeting his origins, upbringing, education, and appearance following France’s round-of-16 victory over Paraguay.

France and Spain meet in Dallas on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s final against either England or Argentina.