On July 12, 2026, during a World Cup match between Spain and France, former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was caught on camera making remarks widely condemned as racist. The incident occurred in a VIP box at the stadium, where Rajoy was seen speaking to associates. French and Spanish media outlets reported the comments, which targeted French players of African descent.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the remarks 'unacceptable' and urged FIFA to investigate. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro SΓ‘nchez also distanced himself from Rajoy, stating that 'racism has no place in football or society.' The Spanish Football Federation issued a statement condemning the comments and promising cooperation with any inquiry.
Rajoy, who served as Prime Minister from 2011 to 2018, has not publicly apologized. His spokesperson claimed the comments were taken out of context, but video evidence has been widely circulated online. FIFA announced it would review the incident under its disciplinary code, which prohibits discriminatory behavior.
This incident has reignited debates about racism in football, with anti-racism groups calling for stricter penalties. The match ended in a 2-1 victory for France, but the focus remains on Rajoy's remarks.
