Borja Iglesias condemns Rajoy over comments on France players’ identity | OneFootball

Borja Iglesias has condemned Mariano Rajoy after the former Spanish prime minister questioned the identity of France internationals with foreign roots.

"It is a very dangerous discourse. Nationality cannot be doubted because of a person’s family origin," Iglesias said. He was speaking to DAZN.

Rajoy had claimed that most of the France squad are not French, referring to many players’ family backgrounds. Iglesias said: "Saying someone is not French because their parents or grandparents are from another country is very serious. If they were born there or have French nationality, they are French and represent their country like anyone else."

His remarks came amid a wave of online criticism of Rajoy from public figures and users who stressed those footballers are full French citizens and represent their country legitimately.

In France, World Cup winner Lilian Thuram argued that questioning the players’ Frenchness because of their families’ origins is to deny the nation’s own history. Other sporting and political figures said the national team mirrors French society’s diversity and that every player represents the country with equal legitimacy.

In Spain, voices including prime minister Pedro Sánchez also rejected Rajoy’s comments for equating national identity with ethnic or family origin, reviving debate on immigration, citizenship and integration.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo