Philippe Diallo condemns Mariano Rajoy over France team claim, citing intolerable racist undertones

In partnership with

OffsAIde

·13 July 2026

Philippe Diallo condemns Mariano Rajoy over France team claim, citing intolerable racist undertones

Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, has condemned Mariano Rajoy after the former Spanish prime minister claimed in a column that Les Bleus were a team without French players.

The federation chief said in a post on X that Rajoys comments had intolerable racist undertones.

OneFootball Videos

He added that the remarks raised questions about a detestable climate that gives rise to such sentiments.

Diallo also wrote that Frances players do not need any certificate of nationality from a former Spanish prime minister.

His intervention came two days before the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain on Tuesday at 21:00, and he concluded that the France team is France.

Source: L'Équipe