France intensifies its criticism against Rajoy for his "racist" words: Le Pen's far-right party calls them "shameful"

The words of former PP Government President Mariano Rajoy, about the French national football team, have generated a wave of criticism from the PSOE, the Government, and multiple public figures. Likewise, from France, they have spoken out condemning the former president's statements. On the one hand, the French Foreign Minister, Jean Nöek Barrot, has described them as "pathetic" and, the latest to speak out have been the deputies of the far-right party National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen.

Rajoy published a column this Sunday in which he had to talk about the World Cup ahead of Spain's debut match against France this Tuesday. In this context, he stated that the French team has "a very high level, yes, without Frenchmen."

In this regard, the spokesperson for the far-right formation, Julien Odoul, has stated: "Mr. Rajoy is a racist. Simply, his statements are scandalous, shameful, and regrettable. Everyone should condemn them."

He also continued: "That is totally the antithesis of the French project which consists of three colors: blue, white, and red, whatever the origin or religion of each one."

Along these lines, the French Foreign Minister, Jean Nöek Barrot, has spoken out, stating that "those statements are pathetic. Once and for all, France has no skin color. Any statement to the contrary is the result of stupidity, racism, or a combination of both." "Stupidity, mediocrity, and racism," he continued his criticism of the former president. He also praised the response of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, who called Rajoy's words "xenophobic." Thus, the French Foreign Minister asserted that "he responded very well."

France applauds Sánchez's response

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has responded to Mariano Rajoy, after his statements in an opinion column about the French national football team through a message on X. "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth or skin color. Others measure it by attachment to a country and the will to contribute to it. Playing football. Taking care of our elders. Or opening businesses," the president wrote in a post on the social network.

The head of the Executive has also added: "Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it. Not to those who shame it with xenophobic statements." Finally, he concluded: "France, see you in the semifinals. May the best win and racism lose."

Albares demands Feijóo disavow Rajoy 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has also spoken out against the words of the former president. Upon his arrival at the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, the minister assured that Rajoy's words are "absolutely unacceptable" and stressed that they do not represent either the Government or Spanish society.

As he indicated, he has held a conversation with his French counterpart to reiterate the friendship between both countries and to disassociate the Executive from those words. In addition, Albares commented: "What Mr. Rajoy wrote is absolutely unacceptable. Nothing that, closely or remotely, could cover up racism or xenophobia represents Spain."

He has also demanded that the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, publicly disavow Mariano Rajoy and has called on the media outlet that published the article for a public rectification and the withdrawal of the text. 

The PP endorses the former president's words

Despite the multiple criticisms, the Popular Party has come out in defense of the former president, asserting that it is a "sarcastic column" and "without bad intention," thus closing ranks with Rajoy, the spokesperson for the Popular Party, Borja Sémper.