Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has ignited controversy after writing that France's national football team plays "without Frenchmen." The remark appeared in his World Cup column for El Debate, where he previewed Spain's upcoming semifinal against France.
Rajoy, who led Spain from 2011 to 2018, acknowledged France's success but made the comment, widely seen as a reference to the diverse, multicultural origins of many French players.
The reaction has been swift and severe. Spanish MEP José Cepeda called the comments "racist and xenophobic." In France, political figures including Minister Aurore Bergé and Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel condemned the remarks, with Roussel demanding a formal condemnation.
Rajoy's statement taps into a long-standing debate in France about football and national identity, which dates back to the multicultural 1998 World Cup-winning team.
The controversy occurs as French and Spanish leaders prepare to meet in Paris on Bastille Day, the same day the two national teams face each other in their semifinal match.