Podemos calls Rajoy a "disgusting racist" and warns of a possible hate crime for his attack on the French national team

Podemos has escalated this Monday the response against Mariano Rajoy for questioning the nationality of the French national team players. The Secretary of Organization and co-spokesperson of the party, Pablo Fernández, has called the former president a "disgusting and inveterate racist" and has demanded that his words have consequences.

The purple leader considers it "deplorable, indecent, and regrettable" that the person who presided over the Government of Spain stated that France has a high-level squad, although "without French people". He has also suggested that Justice evaluate whether the comment could constitute a hate crime, making it clear that this decision rests with the courts.

"These statements could constitute a hate crime. Justice is there to decide or take measures if it deems it appropriate and pertinent," Fernández pointed out.

Podemos asks Rajoy what he thinks of Lamine Yamal

The formation has placed the words of the former PP leader within the struggle that, in its opinion, the popular party maintains with the far-right Vox to demonstrate "who is more racist". Fernández argues that Rajoy has questioned whether French citizens are considered fully French due to their appearance, their surnames, or the origin of their families.

"Spain is a diverse, multicultural country, which integrates and welcomes, and in which this type of statement is not acceptable," defended the Podemos spokesperson, who rejected that Rajoy's opinion can be identified with Spanish society.

Fernández has also brought the controversy to the Spanish national team. He has asked the former president if he maintains the same criterion for footballers like Lamine Yamal and if he is part of those who "are raging" when seeing black or Muslim players wearing the Spanish jersey.

Podemos has vindicated the diverse nature of the national team and the public commitment of several of its players against racism. For the formation, the issue goes beyond any provocation prior to the World Cup semifinal and directly affects who has the right to be recognized as a citizen of a country.

The PP maintains its defense while criticism grows

The words of Podemos are added to the reaction of the Spanish Government and of the French authorities. Pedro Sánchez has responded that belonging to a country does not depend on the surname, place of birth, or skin color, and has wished that in the Spain-France match "the best wins and racism loses." The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has asked Alberto Núñez Feijóo to publicly disavow Rajoy.

The Spanish and French socialist delegations in the European Parliament have also issued a joint statement under the slogan "Against racism, we play on the same team." Both reject that national identity can be decided by a person's appearance or family origin.

In France, several government members and the president of the French Football Federation have condemned the article. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, has recalled that "France has no skin color", while Laurent Nuñez has described the comment as "absolutely unacceptable".

The PP continues to close ranks with its former president. Borja Sémper has presented the comment as a "sarcastic" and "without ill intent" expression linked solely to sports support for Spain. Feijóo still has not disavowed Rajoy one day before the semifinal that will face the Spanish and French teams this Tuesday.