Spain ex-PM draws criticism with ‘xenophobic’ remark on French team
Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faces widespread condemnation for xenophobic remarks regarding the French national football team. Current Spanish and French officials have denounced the comments as racist and divisive.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding national identity and racism in European sports and politics.
Spain's conservative former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faced criticism at home and in France on Sunday (July 12, 2026) after saying the neighbouring country's national football team had "no French players".
The comment, published in an opinion piece in Spanish online news site El Debate , came as Spain prepares to face France on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final.
Spain's current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the remark as "xenophobic".
"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," the Socialist leader wrote on X.
"Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it. Not to those who shame it with xenophobic statements."
Transport Minister Oscar Puente dismissed Mr. Rajoy as a "post-Franco idiot".
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