Former Spanish PM's 'no Frenchmen' comment on French team sparks outrage

A comment by former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has ignited a firestorm in France, after he described the French national football team as having a "top-level squad, albeit without Frenchmen."

“

It has a top-level squad, albeit without Frenchmen. And it plays very well. It will be a powerful opponent.

Rajoy made the remark on Friday following Spain's quarter-final victory at the World Cup, ahead of France's next match. His statement quickly drew sharp criticism from members of the French government. "If this statement is true, it is completely unacceptable. It does not reflect what France is at all," stated Laurent Nunez, France's Interior Minister, in a television interview.

“

If this statement is true, it is completely unacceptable. It does not reflect what France is at all.

The French Embassy in Spain responded directly on social media platform X, asserting that "all players of the French national team are French." The embassy clarified that out of 26 players, 23 were born in France, and the three born abroad are also French citizens. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also weighed in, posting on X: "There are those who still judge belonging based on surname, place of birth or skin color. (...) May the best win, and may racism lose."

“

All players of the French national team are French. Of the 26 players, 23 were born in France. The three who were born abroad are also French.

This is not the first time the French team's composition has been a subject of contentious remarks. Previously, former South American goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert referred to the French squad as a "team from Africa," a comment that French sports newspaper L'Equipe labeled as racist. These comments have sparked debate about national identity, diversity, and representation within international sports teams.

“

There are those who still judge belonging based on surname, place of birth or skin color. (...) May the best win, and may racism lose.