Former Spanish PM sparks fury with xenophobic attack on France squad

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has triggered an international backlash after claiming the French national football team plays without any Frenchmen.

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has sparked a massive political backlash. Writing in an op-ed for El Debate, Rajoy remarked that France possesses a “very high-level squad,” but added it was “without any Frenchmen.”

The controversial statement comes just days before Spain faces France in a high-stakes World Cup semifinal clash.

According to reports by TV5MONDE and AFP, French and Spanish political leaders swiftly condemned the remarks, labeling them as xenophobic and racist.

French Socialist leader Olivier Faure and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez both publicly pushed back, affirming the citizenship of the players. The French Embassy in Madrid similarly clarified that 23 of the 26 squad members were born in France.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *