Spain has offered a formal apology to France after former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy incited a controversy by questioning the national identity of the French football squad. Prior to the FIFA World Cup semi-final, Rajoy suggested in an article for El Debate that the team lacked genuine French players, alluding to the diverse heritage of the roster. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares characterized the comments as unacceptable, distancing them from the values held by most Spanish citizens. He condemned the remarks as xenophobic and dangerous for using race as a standard for citizenship.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also denounced the statements while attending Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, labeling the focus on ancestry and skin color as shameful. The incident follows a recent attack on French captain Kylian Mbappé by a Paraguayan senator, which highlights ongoing racial tensions in the sport. In France, political figures from across the spectrum, including the National Rally, united in condemning the former Spanish leader. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that citizenship is not defined by physical appearance. Representatives for Rajoy’s People’s Party have since claimed the commentary was meant to be sarcastic rather than malicious, though Rajoy himself has remained silent.
