Before the semi-final between Spain and France At the World Cup, former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy sparked outrage in both countries with racist remarks. In a guest article for an online publication Debate he wrote that France has “personnel of the highest level. But without the French.” Many politicians, as well as the French football association FFF, criticized Rajoy, who was head of the Spanish government for the conservative People’s Party (PP) from 2011 to 2018.
Rajoys The statements “contain intolerable racist overtones,” FFF President Philippe Diallo wrote on X. “And they raise the question of what kind of disgusting climate gives rise to such statements. Our players do not have to obtain a certificate of citizenship from the former prime minister of Spain. The French team is the French team.”
“Let the best man win and let racism lose”
Rajoy’s successor Pedro Sanchez also commented on the situation. “There are people who still define their affiliation by last name, place of birth or skin color. Others measure it by attachment to the country and willingness to contribute to it,” he wrote on X. “Spain belongs to those who love him and fill him with life. And not those who disgrace him with xenophobic comments. France, see you in the semi-finals. May the best man win and let racism lose.”
Stars and sweat
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The French government also responded to Rajoy’s contribution. Aurore Berger, the anti-discrimination commissioner, called the claims “repeated racist failures.” Naima Muchu, the Overseas Affairs Minister, said: “These are not ‘disruptions’.” This is a systematic and simplistic hatred of France and what it represents.”
“All the players in the French national team are French”
The French Embassy in Madrid also responded to Rajoy’s guest article. “All players in the French national team are French,” the statement said: “Of the 26 players, 23 were born in France. Three born abroad are also French.”
After France’s victory over Paraguay in the round of 16, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla also made racist comments towards Kylian Mbappe on social media. Among other things, she called him “a colonized Cameroonian desperately trying to pass himself off as French.”
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