Spain’s former prime minister Mariano Rajoy has refused to apologise for his controversial claim that France’s national football team had ‘no French players’, instead responding with sarcasm as the row spilled into a diplomatic embarrassment for the Spanish government.
The former PM and leader of the right-wing People’s Party (PP) sparked widespread criticism in both Spain and France after writing in an opinion column last week that France ‘boasts a top-tier squad’, before adding: ‘Mind you, there are no French players.’ The comments widely interpreted as referring to players of immigrant heritage. ALSO READ: Sánchez brands Rajoy’s French football team comments ‘xenophobic’ as diplomatic row erupts.
Rajoy’s remarks prompted accusations of racism and xenophobia from politicians and sporting figures on both sides of the Pyrenees, with critics saying they helped fuel hatred.
Rather than retracting his comments, Rajoy used his latest column in El Debate online newspaper published on Tuesday night to mock the backlash, without directly addressing the controversy.
He thanked ‘the authorities for the attention they have paid me during this World Cup’.
‘It is a pity that so much effort devoted to praising my virtues has distracted them from other issues … that matter to Spaniards,’ he added, in an apparent swipe at the minority Socialist (PSOE) government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, which has come under pressure from corruption scandals involving people close to it. ALSO READ: Spanish PM’s brother banned from public office for 9 years after court rules job was created for him.
Rajoy also appeared to dismiss demands that he apologise. ‘They never apologise for anything. Apparently that is always left to others. You already know what I am like and what I think,’ he wrote.
Rajoy served as Spain’s prime minister from 2011 until he was removed from office by a no-confidence vote led by Sánchez in 2018.
The controversy also forced the current Spanish leader into an awkward diplomatic moment during a visit to Paris on Tuesday for France’s Bastille Day celebrations.
Spanish media published video footage showing Sánchez speaking with French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, just hours before Spain faced France in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas.
With his hand on his chest and his head bowed, Sánchez could be heard saying in English: ‘I am so embarrassed.’
Lecornu and Macron appeared to respond with reassuring gestures, touching the Spanish prime minister’s arm as they spoke.
According to Spanish media, Sánchez used the encounter to apologise for Rajoy’s remarks. He had already condemned the comments publicly on Sunday, describing them as ‘xenophobic’.
The president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, also criticised Rajoy’s remarks, saying they carried an ‘intolerable undertone of racism’.
The dispute unfolded against the backdrop of one of the biggest matches in recent football history, with Spain defeating tournament favourites France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final later on Tuesday. The victory sent Spain into the final after a disciplined tactical display ended Les Bleus’ hopes of securing a third World Cup title. ALSO READ: Spain outclass France with tactical masterclass to reach World Cup Final.
Main image: Former PM Mariano Rajoy congratulating Pedro Sánchez after losing the vote of no confidence against the PP government on 1 June 2018 (Moncloa).
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🧐 La columna de @marianorajoy | ‘Hay que tener buen humor’
«Ellos no piden perdón por nada. Eso, por lo visto, siempre les toca a otros»
«Ustedes ya saben cómo soy y lo que pienso. ¡Viva España! Hemos ganado una vez más» pic.twitter.com/OzSPuMmqlq
— El Debate (@eldebate_com) July 14, 2026
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