Former Spain PM criticised for ‘xenophobic’ remark on French World Cup team

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is facing widespread condemnation for suggesting the French national football team has 'no French players.' Current Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez and various French officials have labeled the remarks as xenophobic and racist.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights the intersection of sports, national identity, and political discourse regarding immigration and diversity.
Mariano Rajoy has drawn criticism for an opinion piece in Spanish website El Debate ahead of World Cup semifinal.
The article reports on the controversy by citing multiple perspectives and condemning the remarks through the quotes of other officials.
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