Maud Bregeon condemns Mariano Rajoy’s ‘racist’ comments before France v Spain World Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Maud Bregeon condemns Mariano Rajoy’s ‘racist’ comments before France v Spain World Cup semi-final | OneFootball

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·13 July 2026

Maud Bregeon condemns Mariano Rajoy’s ‘racist’ comments before France v Spain World Cup semi-final

Article image:Maud Bregeon condemns Mariano Rajoy’s ‘racist’ comments before France v Spain World Cup semi-final

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon on Monday condemned remarks by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy about the France team. She called them abject and racist on the eve of the 2026 World Cup semi-final against Spain at 21:00.

Speaking to RTL, Bregeon said the comments betrayed a deep ignorance of France’s history and of how proud the French are of their national side. Rajoy had claimed France have a very high level squad, but without French players.


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The row over Rajoy’s words has grown as the semi-final approaches.

French FA president Philippe Diallo also spoke of intolerable racist undertones.

The episode comes only days after racist insults aimed at Kylian Mbappé by a Paraguayan senator following France’s round of 16 win over Paraguay.

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