France has been given added motivation to beat Spain in their World Cup semi-final after a racist attack by a former Spanish prime minister, who implied none of the team are French because so many are people of colour.
The comments by Mariano Rajoy, a week after a Paraguayan senator launched a nakedly racist attack on Kylian Mbappe, have provoked outrage in France. In an opinion piece published by the newspaper El Debate, Rajoy said: 'They have a top-level squad. That said, they don't have any French players.'
Spanish players have found themselves having to disown the statement ahead of their clash with France.
Defender Pau Cubarsi said: 'If they play for the French national team, they are French, regardless of their skin colour. We must show tolerance towards everyone, because we all deserve respect.'
Striker Borja Iglesias added: 'I can understand that he didn't say it with bad intentions, but we need to be more vigilant about this kind of remark.'
The French Embassy in Spain also condemned Rajoy, issuing a factual rebuttal that noted all 26 players of Didier Deschamps' players are French citizens and 23 of them were born in France.
The France squad are said to have viewed the politician's comments with bemusement, but a second racist attack on them in as many weeks is likely to fuel their resolve to beat Luis de la Fuente's team at the Dallas Stadium and reach a third successive World Cup final.
The players' siege mentality was strengthened after a round-16 game in which France beat a cynical Paraguay team when that country's senator Celeste Amarilla attacked Mbappe as a 'colonized Cameroonian, pretending to be French – resentful, nouveau riche, arrogant and ugly'.
The French captain called her 'a despicable woman, unworthy of her office' and the Paris prosecutor's office has opened a judicial investigation into Amarilla.
Bizarrely, she then said was considering suing Mbappe for 'gender-based violence'.
The latest attack contributes to a sense that France is under siege from opponents at the tournament.
The French nation also felt slighted when Argentina criticised the appointment of a French referee, Francois Letexier, for their game against Egypt.
Mbappe's forthright response to Amarilla two weeks ago was admired by team-mates, though there is far greater motivation for France's players in comments Lamine Yamal made about the prospect of playing the world's No1 side.
Yamal, whose parents were born in Morocco and Equatorial Guinea and who is regularly the target of racist attacks in his own country, said: 'We beat France in our last two matches. If France should be afraid of anyone, it's us.'
Ibrahima Konate responded: 'To be honest, we don't listen to what's being said. We mustn't be afraid of anyone.
'We must remain humble and not fall into that trap, especially at this stage of the competition. He can say what he wants.
'We're going to try to prepare as best we can. And at the end of the match, we'll see who benefits.'
Dedeistuyz
0
Spanish and Argentina have been speaking about France since last week why
Argentina shouldn't talking like that, they were helped to be in the semi. They are not genuine there
Lidcdeikrs
0
he is not wrong
take out yamal & Nico, spain will be toothless
DavidDingaan
0
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 🤔 🤔 🤔
hehbcdklp
0
That's why I hate Spanish people..they are racist...
Everblessed10
1
This shouldn’t come as surprise because they Spain is very racist to the point where they can’t even hide it inside anymore. A bunch of disgusting people who think they’re above everyone else.
Saeaiknruy
0
he is not wrong
Is Yamal and William a Spanish people,nonsense
IkennaKalu
1
even the people from Catalonia region don't even wanna be Spanish, in fact they are Spanish by force....
IkennaKalu
1
even the people from Catalonia region don't even wanna be Spanish, in fact they are Spanish by force.
Hinabcdiku
0
he is not wrong
cocdimnprs
1
Marcos senna 2006 world cup And 2008 Europe hi plyn as a midfield
ariwanze
0
Africa 😁😁😁🤷♂️
To add to that, Nico Williams parents are from Ghana and Aymeric Laporte from France. You see that these people are hypocrites. I dont even give them the opportunity to deceive me.
Hartzzz
1
France national team has always been like that since I started watching national football, I remember Zidane, Anelka, Thierry, Gallas, Makalele, sagna, and co They have always had player with African origin, That’s d benefit of non Bias and inclusivity Why is everyone crying😏 I wish France the very best in this World Cup hopefully they win it cuz of d hate they’re facing
mizcdeik
3
you have about 3 players in your country they're not Spanish🇪🇸 laporte and yamal Nico you most stupid man
JamesAppiadu
0
of course ALL BLACKS country🤣🤣
Zeucdeiky
1
Spanish are racist
BernardLim
0
that's the problem when politics try to get involved in sports.
Jurgen__Klopp
3
Pure respect for Pau Cubarsi right there❤️
nuhdenosty
3
Racism has no place in our beautiful game.It must be stopped whenever it raises it's ugly head.
Archangel01
2
What exactly is yamal doing your country's team. old fool
Fihcikmnuy
0
If Africans were united, we would not support any Spanish team in the world.
RachelTangi
0
It's a sign that France has cooked something special because Spain can't say that,what about Yamal, Nico Williams and so own,are they from Spain?
They just say things without knowing the extent meaning of their opinions. The day Yamal will fail to deliver to their expectations, that Lil boy will suffer. Just wait.
RachelTangi
1
Yet they look up on Yamal, who is an African, to save them. What a delusional opinion... Means, the day Yamal will not deliver to their expectations, they'll turn to him with this kind of labels. Football has lost its credibility.
RachelTangi
0
we all know that if you like fear, you must play the ball as Spain VS Africa let's see if you are good
😂💀
Delvinho
2
FIFA has to ban that. as a black man , play for your country, not by choosing a country
Mesh-shacky
0
I remember when Spanish officials were rushing and even going against their own laws to go e citizenship to Ansu Fati...then the man didn't think he is not "Spanish". I pity Yamal at times because the day the results don't come, they will lash on him like England did to Radford and the rest during the Euros. But one thing is clear, na dem discover football, but clearly we are more complete footballers than most of them. and they have to live with that for the rest of their lives.
mozato85
1
we all know that if you like fear, you must play the ball as Spain VS Africa let's see if you are good
cihadlopyz
1
but Spain so-called best player is black
dougiefresh
0
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are not Spanish.
you can't say that about Argentina players, they're all lily white and sing racist songs when they're together
akintayo ibraheem
3
France and African are 5 and 6
weycklmnyz
0
hard for black man to accept the truth never racist
vosikmptuz
1
Is it possible Mariano Rajoy never went to school? It's great wonder that a man of his status did not understand the meaning of nationality. France is never Spain.
dennisachafu
5
I wonder how people blame these guys for playing for European teams instead of Africa. Some of these players were born and raised in Europe. If they were born or grew up in Africa, I don't think they will attain this level of prominence. African countries have abundant talents at home but as a result of high level of corruption and bad leadership, many of these talents were never harnessed. Please, let's stop blaming these guys who willingly made their choices to represent the country they know. If any of us have the same opportunity, I believe we will do what they did.
Wupeiluz
1
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are not Spanish.
nonacimoyz
0
the Spanish are now fearing french football
idowucharles
0
We all know they don’t have any.
Daaimpyz
0
sure
febdeikmor
1
France national team should be called African all stars period 97 % of France national is Africa is that another way of colonisation
Amine_Ermac
0
Ayemeric Laporte is French but playing for Spain 🇪🇸. Tell me you are retarded without saying anything!
Rooacmsuy
0
Nothing is recist here it's just naked truth
, are Yamal and William playing for France ?
Disacelpsz
0
Some people should read and understand The man said there's no French player in France team,
stupid defender, nico and yamal are they Spanish. fullest
Richard0010
0
You are so dumb trying to defend your favourite team does yamal look like Spain player and the rest of black players on their team?
Hey 👋 kid, why do you like using insulting words in people’s comments. You better take time.
Rooacmsuy
0
He means Yamal and other black players are not spanishes.
Sasckmprsy
2
Africans won't see it. This is another form of subtle slavery and colonization.
rundnopstu
0
he means at least they should have got one or two maybe three but not all yet it's french national team, that itself is astonishing.
It doesn’t matter they’re French people so why bring colour in it isn’t that racism?
Suukmopz
3
Your best players Yamal and Williams aren't Spanish either,you racist bum!
Zubbdimtyz
1
Nothing is recist here it's just naked truth
uri mhata
Zihcdmprtu
1
Yamal is also not Spanish
Newbelrs
1
france is a barbarian team. africa and france
jjajamusa16
0
And what does that say quit being dumb
he means at least they should have got one or two maybe three but not all yet it's french national team, that itself is astonishing.
Tayadiy
0
Nothing is recist here it's just naked truth