Spain striker Borja Iglesias rebukes Ex-PM Rajoy’s racist dig at France: ‘Multiculturalism is a richness’

As Spain and France prepare to face off in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday, a bitter political row has erupted after former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy claimed the French national team has “no French players” — a remark that current Spanish and French leaders have condemned as racist.

In a column published July 10 in the conservative newspaper El Debate, Rajoy wrote: “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.”

The comments, made just days before the heavyweight semifinal clash in Dallas, have drawn swift and widespread condemnation.

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Iglesias: “It Surprises Me That We Are Still Dealing with This”

Spain striker Borja Iglesias, speaking to DAZN, did not hold back. “It surprised me, honestly. I was flying yesterday and when I landed, they sent it to me. It surprises me that at this point we are still dealing with these things,” he said.

“I understand life and multicultural society. Each of us comes from somewhere, each of us is different, and I believe that is the richness we have,” Iglesias added.

The Celta Vigo forward, known for his progressive activism, emphasized that France’s diversity is its strength. “I understand that France is so rich in many ways because of the number of people from different origins it has. It makes me a little sad, this thing,” he said.

While offering a measure of grace, Iglesias stressed the need for greater care. “I can understand that he didn’t say it with bad intentions, but I think we have to be a little more careful with that,” he concluded.

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Cubarsí: “If They Play for France, They Are French”

Defender Pau Cubarsí also pushed back. “If they play for the French national team, they are French, regardless of their skin color,” he told Catalan radio RAC 1. “We must show tolerance towards everyone, because we all deserve respect.”

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Political Firestorm Crosses the Pyrenees

French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo called the remarks “intolerable whiffs of racism,” adding: “Our players do not need a certificate of nationality from a former Spanish prime minister.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said: “France has no skin color. Any contrary claim stems from stupidity, racism or a combination of the two.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also condemned his predecessor: “There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it.” “Spain belongs to those who love and work for it, not to those who shame it with xenophobic declarations. France, see you in the semifinals. May the best win and may racism lose,” Sánchez added.

The French embassy in Spain issued a statement reminding Rajoy that “all players of the French national team are French.” Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon called the comments “abject” and displaying “a great ignorance of France’s history.”

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A Familiar Refrain

This is not the first time France’s diverse squad has been targeted. Earlier in the tournament, French captain Kylian Mbappé condemned a Paraguayan senator over remarks mocking his origins after France’s round-of-16 victory.

As the two European giants prepare to meet in Dallas, the controversy has added an extra layer of tension to an already mouthwatering semifinal — one that will now be watched as much for its politics as for its football.