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Printable Page
07/13 06:49 CDT Former Spanish leader is criticized for comments about France's
World Cup team
Former Spanish leader is criticized for comments about France's World Cup team
By SUMAN NAISHADHAM
Associated Press
MADRID (AP) --- A former Spanish prime minister is facing criticism for saying
that France's World Cup team "does not have any French players," which French
and Spanish leaders have called racist.
Mariano Rajoy, a member of Spain's conservative Popular Party, made the comment
in a column for Spanish outlet El Debate ahead of Tuesday's World Cup semifinal
between the European neighbors.
"They've won every match they've played at this World Cup and are currently top
of the FIFA rankings. They also have an exceptionally strong squad. That said,
one thing they don't have is any French players," Rajoy wrote on July 10.
On Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Nol Barrot told French broadcaster BFM
TV that "France has no skin color. Any contrary claim stems from stupidity,
racism or a combination of the two."
A day earlier, French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo wrote on X
that "Mariano Rajoy's remarks about the French team carry intolerable whiffs of
racism," adding that "they also raise questions about the deplorable climate
that gives rise to such sentiments. Our players do not need a certificate of
nationality from a former Spanish prime minister."
Spain's ruling Socialist government swiftly condemned the remarks by Rajoy, who
was prime minister from 2011 to 2018.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Pedro Snchez referenced the comments without naming
his predecessor, writing on X: "There are those who still measure belonging by
surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a
country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our
elders. Or opening businesses. France, we'll see you in the semifinals. May the
best one win and may racism lose."
France will face Spain on Tuesday in Dallas.
Spain's Foreign Minister Jos Manuel Albares also spoke out Monday, saying the
Popular Party's leader, Alberto Nez Feijo, needed to disavow the remarks.
It's not the first time France's team has faced racism during this World Cup.
Earlier this month, French captain and star player Kylian Mbappcondemned a
Paraguayan senator over remarks she made following Paraguay's loss to France in
the round of 16.
Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, posted a
series of comments on X mocking the French player's origins, upbringing,
education and appearance after France won on July 4 with a penalty by Mbapp.
