French authorities have condemned remarks by former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who claimed in a recent article that the French national football team plays "without Frenchmen." Published in El Debate just days before the Spain-France World Cup semifinal, the comments drew criticism from several French government members, who called them "racist" and "unacceptable."
Three members of Emmanuel Macron's cabinet publicly condemned Rajoy's comments: Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, Minister for the Fight Against Discrimination Aurore Bergé and Minister for Overseas Territories Naïma Moutchou. Nuñez, who is of Spanish descent, told BFMTV that such assertions are "completely unacceptable." He said France is a republic where everyone can find a place, regardless of origin. Bergé criticized what she called repeated racist remarks and said sport should be judged solely on talent. Moutchou urged the French Football Federation to consider legal action against Rajoy.
The controversy began with Rajoy's column in El Debate, owned by the Asociación Católica de Propagandistas, in which he assessed the French squad ahead of its match against Spain. Rajoy argued that despite the team's high level of play, it does not include "Frenchmen," apparently conflating nationality with ancestry. Similar views have appeared in far-right French discourse, particularly since France's 1998 World Cup victory.
Political leaders from across the French spectrum joined the criticism. Fabien Roussel of the French Communist Party pointed to recent racist incidents involving France. Socialist leader Olivier Faure said France is defined by republican values, not ethnicity, skin color or religion. The French Embassy in Madrid also responded, saying all 26 players called up for the national team are French citizens: 23 were born in France, while the other three hold French nationality.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the issue on X, contrasting those who judge belonging by name or birthplace with those who value commitment to the country. He called for racism to be defeated and expressed support for France ahead of the semifinal. Transport Minister Óscar Puente also criticized Rajoy, calling him a "post-Francoist idiot" and disputing his reputation as a moderate.
The controversy has emerged as the Spain-France World Cup semifinal draws impressive attention. Debate over national identity in French football is longstanding, and the makeup of the national team has often prompted political and social discussion. The French Football Federation has yet to announce a formal response to calls for legal action. The episode comes amid continuing European tensions over migration and integration, alongside broader questions about national identity at major international events.
France's approach to citizenship is based on the principle of jus soli, granting nationality to people born on French soil or to parents with French citizenship. The model differs from more restrictive approaches in other countries and has shaped the country's diverse national teams for decades. Questions of identity and belonging remain deeply sensitive, particularly when political figures raise them around major sporting events.
