Rajoy draws backlash in Spain, France over France team remark
What's new: Pedro Sanchez called the comment xenophobic as French ministers and party leaders condemned it before the World Cup semi-final.
Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy drew condemnation in Spain and France after writing that France’s national soccer team had “no French players” ahead of the countries’ World Cup semi-final on July 14. Rajoy made the remark in an opinion piece for El Debate while describing France as a formidable opponent. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the comment xenophobic and said belonging should not be judged by surname, birthplace or skin color. In France, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez called the remark unacceptable, while Socialist leader Olivier Faure and overseas territories minister Naima Moutchou said it distorted what France represents as a diverse republic.