![\"Spain's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/e8c10cd4ce8492e0bccb3a7ebefbddee.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nA former Spanish prime minister is facing criticism for saying that France’s World Cup team “does not have any French players”, which French and Spanish leaders have called racist.<\/p>\n
Mariano Rajoy, a member of Spain’s conservative Popular Party, made the comment in a column for Spanish outlet El Debate ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal between the European neighbours.<\/p>\n
“They’ve won every match they’ve played at this World Cup and are currently top of the FIFA rankings. They also have an exceptionally strong squad. That said, one thing they don’t have is any French players,” Mr Rajoy wrote on July 10.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of the semifinal, French midfielder Warren Za\u00efre-Emery, who is of Martiniquais descent, said he had not read the comments.<\/p>\n
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Mariano Rajoy has caused a stir with his comments. (AP: Manu Fernandez)<\/p>\n
“This French team has players from different backgrounds and origins, so does the country, we are a united group, a united team, and that’s all that matters,” he said when asked about Rajoy’s claims.<\/p>\n
Za\u00efre-Emery’s comments came after French Foreign Minister Jean-No\u00ebl Barrot told French broadcaster BFM TV that “France has no skin colour. Any contrary claim stems from stupidity, racism or a combination of the two.”<\/p>\n
A day earlier, French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo wrote on X that “Mariano Rajoy’s remarks about the French team carry intolerable whiffs of racism.”<\/p>\n
He added that “they also raise questions about the deplorable climate that gives rise to such sentiments. Our players do not need a certificate of nationality from a former Spanish prime minister.”<\/p>\n
![\"Lamine](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/c9b13f50a28c3558ace17840870b2965.jpeg\")
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Lamine Yamal is of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean descent. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Spanish superstar Lamine Yamal, who is of Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean descent, also condemned Rajoy’s comments.<\/p>\n
“If football is there for anything, is to integrate people, to improve society, and no better example than France and Spain,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We are a good example of integration and that is football for you at the end of the day, not talking about other people’s comments.”<\/p>\n
A spokesperson from Mr Rajoy’s Popular Party said the remarks were sarcastic and made without malice.<\/p>\n
More on FIFA World Cup 2026<\/p>\n
“These columns are written without ill intent,” said spokesperson Borja S\u00e9mper. “This expression is used without ill intent.”<\/p>\n
Spain’s ruling Socialist government swiftly condemned the remarks by Mr Rajoy, who was prime minister from 2011 to 2018.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez referenced the comments without naming his predecessor, writing on X: “There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we’ll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose.”<\/p>\n
France will face Spain tomorrow at 5am (AEST) in Dallas.<\/p>\n