France Condemns Rajoy's 'Racist' Remarks on National Team's Nationality

French political figures and the national football federation have issued strong rebukes against former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy for his assertion that the French national team lacks 'French players.' Rajoy's comments, made in a column for El Debate newspaper ahead of a World Cup semifinal match, described the team as having a 'very high level' but notably 'without French players.'

Reactions were swift and sharp. France's Minister for Overseas Territories, Naïma Moutchou, denounced the remarks as a manifestation of racism, demanding a response from the French Football Federation (FFF). FFF President Philippe Diallo echoed this sentiment, calling Rajoy's words 'intolerable racist undertones' and asserting that the team 'is the team of France.' Other officials, including Minister for Equality and Discrimination Fight Aurore Bergé and Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure, also condemned the statements as racist and contrary to French republican values.

The French embassy in Madrid directly addressed Rajoy's claim, providing factual clarification. It stated that all 26 players selected for the squad are French nationals. Of these, 23 were born in France, and the remaining three, despite being born abroad, also possess French nationality. This response aimed to counter the narrative that the team does not represent France, emphasizing the players' legal status and connection to the nation.