Pau Cubarsí, the defender for the Spain national team, has urged for tolerance following remarks made by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who suggested that France lacks “French players.”
Rajoy’s comments, published in his column for the Spanish newspaper El Debate, came ahead of the World Cup semifinal match between Spain and France on Tuesday.
When questioned about the column by Catalan radio station RAC1, Cubarsí firmly disagreed with Rajoy’s assertion.
“If they wear the French national jersey, then they are French, regardless of their skin color. Ultimately, we must be tolerant of everyone,” stated the Barcelona defender.
“The color of their skin is irrelevant; we are all human beings and deserve respect.”
Rajoy’s remarks have sparked significant backlash from political leaders across Spain.
Óscar Puente, Spain’s Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, referred to Rajoy as a “dim-witted, post-Francoist crook.”
Current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez alluded to Rajoy’s comments without naming him, posting on X: “Some still assess belonging based on surname, birthplace, or skin color. Others define it by our connection to the country and our willingness to contribute—through playing football, caring for our elderly, or starting businesses. Good luck in the semifinals, France. May the best team win and may racism lose.”
Meanwhile, the French embassy in Madrid asserted: “Without sparking controversy, it’s important to state the facts: All players of the French national team are French. Out of 26 players, 23 were born in France; the three who were born abroad are also French.”
French government ministers have also condemned Rajoy’s statements as racist.
Olivier Faure, leader of the Socialist Party in France, remarked: “The French team is composed only of French nationals. France is not an ethnic nation; it embodies no specific skin color or religion. It’s a political community united by our republican values. This is much to the chagrin of the racist right.”
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Naïma Moutchou, France’s Minister of the Overseas, requested that the France Football Federation consider taking legal action against Rajoy.
“With every triumph of Les Bleus, the same obsessions and racist taunts resurface,” she stated. “These are not mere slips; this is a methodical and normalized hatred towards France and our identity.”
Rajoy’s remarks came after Kylian Mbappé condemned racist remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, labeling her a “despicable woman unworthy of her position.”
This report includes information from the Associated Press.