Ex-spanish Leader Faces Backlash Over France World Cup Remarks

WHO:

AP News - Mariano Rajoy, former Spanish Prime Minister and member of Spain’s conservative Popular Party.

AP News - Jean-Noël Barrot, French Foreign Minister.

AP News - Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation.

AP News - Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain.

AP News - José Manuel Albares, Spain’s Foreign Minister.

AP News - Kylian Mbappé, French captain and star player.

AP News - Celeste Amarilla, senator from Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party.

WHAT:

Daily Mail Sports - Warren Zaire-Emery stated, "The French team has players from different backgrounds and origins, as does the country. We are a united group, a united team, and that's all that matters."

AP News - French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo stated that Rajoy's remarks "raise questions about the deplorable climate that gives rise to such sentiments."

AP News - Kylian Mbappé condemned comments made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, who mocked his origins, upbringing, education, and appearance after France's victory on July 4.

AP News - Mariano Rajoy wrote, “They’ve won every match they’ve played at this World Cup and are currently top of the FIFA rankings. They also have an exceptionally strong squad,” in his column for El Debate.

AP News - Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated, “France, we’ll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose.”

AP News - José Manuel Albares, Spain’s Foreign Minister, called for the Popular Party’s leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, to disavow Rajoy's remarks.

AP News - Mariano Rajoy faced criticism for stating that France’s World Cup team “does not have any French players.”

AP News - Rajoy made the comment in a column for Spanish outlet El Debate ahead of a World Cup semifinal match.

AP News - France's team has won every match they played at the World Cup and is currently top of the FIFA rankings.

AP News - Pedro Sánchez referenced Rajoy's comments, stating that some measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color.

WHERE:

AP News - The comments were made in Spain and referenced the French World Cup team.

AP News - The World Cup semifinal match is set to take place in Dallas.

WHEN:

AP News - Rajoy's comments were published on July 10.

AP News - The World Cup semifinal match between France and Spain is scheduled for Tuesday.

WHY:

AP News - Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that “Any contrary claim stems from stupidity, racism or a combination of the two.”

AP News - Rajoy's comments were labeled as racist by French and Spanish leaders.

AP News - Jean-Noël Barrot stated that “France has no skin color,” calling contrary claims “stupidity, racism or a combination of the two.”

AP News - Philippe Diallo described Rajoy's remarks as carrying “intolerable whiffs of racism.”

HOW:

AP News - Rajoy expressed his views in a column for a Spanish media outlet.

Warren Zaire-Emery emphasized the unity of the French team, highlighting that it comprises players from diverse backgrounds and origins, much like the country itself. He stated, "We are a united group, a united team, and that's all that matters." This message of togetherness comes as the team prepares for upcoming competitions.