Milan, 13 July (LaPresse) – A storm has erupted over former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who has been accused of racism for describing France – opponents of the Red Fury in the World Cup semi-final – as a “national team without French players”, in reference to the many black players of African origin in the squad. As reported by leading French and Spanish media outlets, the reactions have been extremely harsh, starting with the French government, which described the remarks by former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy as “absolutely unacceptable” and “abhorrent”. “If this statement is true, it is absolutely unacceptable. It in no way reflects what France stands for,” said French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez in an interview with BMF TV. According to the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, “Mariano Rajoy’s comments on the French national team contain an ‘intolerable hint of racism’”.
2026 World Cup: ‘France without the French’ – former Spanish Prime Minister Rajoy accused of racism
Milan, 13 July (LaPresse) – A storm has erupted over former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who has been accused of racism for describing France – opponents of the Red Fury in the World Cup semi-final – as a “national team without French players”, in reference to the many black players of African origin in the squad. As reported by leading French and Spanish media outlets, the reactions have been extremely harsh, starting with the French government, which described the remarks by former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy as “absolutely unacceptable” and “abhorrent”. “If this statement is true, it is absolutely unacceptable. It in no way reflects what France stands for,” said French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez in an interview with BMF TV. According to the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, “Mariano Rajoy’s comments on the French national team contain an ‘intolerable hint of racism’”.
