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.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Spain's former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was ousted after a motion of no confidence vote in 2018 [Philippe Marcou/Reuters] By AFP Published On 12 Jul 2026 12 Jul 2026 Spain’s conservative former prime minister Mariano Rajoy is facing criticism at home and in neighbouring France after saying their national football team had “no French players”.
The comment, published in an opinion piece in Spanish online news site El Debate on Sunday, came as Spain prepares to face France in a titanic World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.
Spain’s current Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, condemned the remark as “xenophobic”.
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