Former Spanish leader is criticized for comments about France’s World Cup team
Spanish and French leaders condemned the remarks as racist, while France said its squad of 26 players includes 23 born in France.
- On Tuesday, Lamine Yamal sidestepped questions regarding former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's recent comments about the French national team, declining to engage with the controversy ahead of the semi-final.
- Rajoy's remarks describing the French squad as "formidable" but lacking "French players" circulated widely in Spanish media and prompted a response from French President Emmanuel Macron's government.
- Facing separate criticism regarding his attitude and an extravagant 18-year-old birthday party, the 19-year-old star wears a headband reading "EGO YAMAL" to address online accusations of selfishness, which marketing expert Jacob Mouritzen calls natural cultural commentary.
- Spain prepares to face France in the World Cup semi-final tonight at 21 on DR1, where Yamal aims to answer critics on the pitch after struggling with an early injury.
- Yamal argued that football serves as a tool for integration, describing the upcoming semi-final as "one of the most beautiful you can play at a World Cup," citing Spain and France as examples.
177 Articles
177 Articles
It was in the framework of the celebration for the anniversary of the Taking of the Bastille, held at the embassy headquarters in Buenos Aires.
The recent statement by former president of the Spanish government, Mariano Rajoy, about a selection of France "without French" is the latest racist episode of several who have overshadowed the World Cup. Although players and coaches have managed to maintain a primarily respectful atmosphere, outside the court, in the media and on social networks, manifestations of racist dye have reached public and political figures, showing a global climate in…
The Spanish government officially apologized to France after former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy questioned the French identity of several players summoned to the national team for the World Championship.
Soccer-Spain apologises for ex-PM’s column questioning ‘Frenchness’ of France team
By Javi West Larrañaga and Michel Rose MADRID/PARIS July 14 (Reuters) - Spain has apologised for a column penned by conservative former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy contending that France's men's soccer team lacked French players, Foreign Minister Jose...
‘Intolerable whiff of racism’: Spanish soccer’s never-ending problem
MADRID — A soccer-racism row involving a former prime minister has triggered renewed scrutiny of a perennial Spanish problem. Mariano Rajoy, who governed Spain between 2011 and 2018 as leader of the conservative People’s Party, described the French team in a column he wrote for El Debate news site as a “very high-level squad. Of course, without Frenchmen,” in reference to the African heritage of some of the players. The remarks sparked a fierce …
France Vs Spain, FIFA World Cup 2026: Mariano Rajoy's Remarks Trigger Racism Controversy Before Semi-Final Clash
Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faces backlash after controversial comments about France's World Cup team, with French and Spanish leaders condemning the remarks as racist ahead of the semifinal
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