A four-word phrase in a newspaper column by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has ignited a political firestorm between Madrid and Paris, just days before the two nations face off in the World Cup semi-final. Writing in the conservative daily El Debate, Rajoy described the French national side as a “formidable opponent” but added the aside “eso sí, sin franceses” — “that is, without the French.” The comment, widely interpreted as a reference to the ethnic diversity of Les Bleus, has been denounced as racist by officials in both countries.
Political backlash from both sides of the Pyrenees
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez was quick to respond on social media, posting: “Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it, not to those who disgrace it with xenophobic statements.” He concluded: “May the best team win and may racism be defeated.” The Socialist leader’s intervention drew a sharp retort from Rajoy’s People’s Party (PP). Party spokesperson Borja Sémper dismissed the phrase as “sarcastic” and accused Sánchez of politicising sport. “We, unlike Mr Sánchez, want Spain to win in any way, shape or form,” Sémper said.
In France, the reaction was equally forceful. Aurore Bergé, the minister delegate for equality and anti-discrimination, called the remarks “repeated racist excesses” that were “intolerable.” Fabien Roussel, national secretary of the French Communist Party, demanded that Rajoy be “condemned,” comparing his column to racist comments made against Kylian Mbappé by a Paraguayan senator. The French Embassy in Spain issued a statement stressing that all 26 players in the squad hold French nationality, noting that 23 were born in France and only three abroad — Brice Samba (Democratic Republic of Congo), Michael Olise (United Kingdom), and Marcus Thuram (Italy).
Rajoy digs in
Initially, sources close to the former prime minister told El Mundo that there was “no ill intent” and that the controversy had been blown out of proportion. Rajoy himself later adopted a defiant tone, telling the same newspaper: “I am not going to stoop to the level of certain members of the Spanish government.” Podemos secretary for organisation Pablo Fernández branded the remarks “xenophobic” and “execrable,” predicting that Rajoy “will go down in history as a vile and thoroughgoing racist.”
The row comes at a sensitive moment for Spanish-French relations, with the two teams set to meet in a high-stakes semi-final. Spain’s own squad is notably diverse: Aymeric Laporte was born in Agen, France, and Robin Le Normand, a regular until recently, was born in Pabu, Brittany. Stars Lamine Yamal (born in Barcelona to a Moroccan father and an Equatoguinean mother) and Nico Williams (born in Pamplona to Ghanaian parents) also reflect the multicultural fabric of modern Spain. In fact, 11 players and three coaches born in Spain have represented other national teams in this summer’s tournament.
Rajoy’s defenders argue that his comment was a clumsy attempt at humour, not malice. But the episode underscores how quickly language around national identity can inflame tensions in a continent where football is both a unifying force and a mirror of deeper social divides. As the semi-final approaches, the focus will shift back to the pitch — but the political aftershocks are unlikely to fade quickly.
