Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has accused the government of trying to distract public attention after his comments about the French national football team triggered a diplomatic dispute. In a new column titled "Hay que tener buen humor" published in El Debate following Spain's World Cup semi-final victory over France, Rajoy appealed to "good humour" and defended his earlier claim that France plays "without Frenchmen".
The remarks drew sharp condemnation from French political leaders and the Spanish government. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares sent a letter to his French counterpart assuring him that Rajoy's views do not reflect the sentiment of most Spaniards. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz reproached Rajoy for failing to apologise, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the former premier was embarrassing Spain. Rajoy countered that ministers were more interested in "tattling to a foreign minister" or "bowing to a prime minister to create noise."
The dispute coincided with Sánchez's meeting with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Tuesday for France's Bastille Day celebrations. The French embassy noted that 23 of the 26 squad members were born on French soil.