Rajoy doubles down on 'no French' claim, accuses Spanish government of distraction

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has escalated his public commentary on the French national football team, refusing to apologize for his earlier assertion that the team plays "without Frenchmen." Instead, Rajoy has adopted an ironic tone, suggesting that the diplomatic stir his remarks caused has diverted attention from more pressing matters concerning Spaniards.

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The pity is that so much effort dedicated to praising my virtues has distracted you from other issues... that matter to Spaniards.

In a recent opinion piece published in El Debate, Rajoy, a conservative politician, revisited the controversy surrounding his comments made during the World Cup. He stated, "The pity is that so much effort dedicated to praising my virtues has distracted you from other issues... that matter to Spaniards." This statement appears to be a veiled criticism of the current socialist government led by Pedro Sánchez, implying that political maneuvering has overshadowed substantive governance.

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They are more interested in snitching to a foreign minister or bowing to a prime minister to create noise, distract attention, stir things up, and all so that what we are experiencing is not talked about.

Rajoy's remarks, which were labeled "xenophobic" by Sánchez, have ignited a significant backlash in France. French officials, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, have strongly condemned his statements. Barrot described them as "stupidity, racism, or a combination of both," asserting that "France has no skin color." This strong reaction from French leadership underscores the diplomatic tension his comments have created.

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They don't apologize for anything. That, apparently, is always for others to do. You already know what I'm like and what I think.

The former prime minister, who was ousted from power in 2018, seems to be using the controversy as a platform to criticize Sánchez's administration. He suggested that the government's focus on international relations, such as engaging with foreign ministers or participating in French national day events, is a deliberate tactic to "create noise, distract attention, and cause a fuss" to avoid discussing domestic problems. Rajoy's stance suggests he will not apologize, implying that the current government is hypocritical in its demands for an apology while allegedly avoiding accountability for its own actions.

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Stupidity, racism, or a combination of both.