Former Spanish PM accused of racism in remarks about French football team
Summary
Mariano Rajoy, former Spanish prime minister, wrote in a newspaper that the French soccer team "does not have any French players," leading to accusations of racism. His comments were strongly criticized by Spanish and French leaders who emphasized France’s diversity and rejected Rajoy’s views.Key Facts
- Mariano Rajoy served as Spain’s prime minister from 2011 to 2018.
- Rajoy wrote that France’s national soccer team lacks actual French players despite their success.
- Spain’s current prime minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Rajoy’s remarks as xenophobic and based on skin color or birthplace.
- French interior minister Laurent Nuñez stated France is a diverse country where everyone belongs.
- French political leaders from different parties defended the French national team as made up of French citizens.
- Rajoy’s remarks were compared to racist comments by a Paraguayan senator about French player Kylian Mbappé.
- France’s football federation has filed a complaint against those racist comments.
- Sánchez ended his message hoping the best team wins and that racism loses in the upcoming World Cup semi-final.
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