Spain defender Cubarsi dismisses ex-PM's France nationality remarks

Spain defender Pau Cubarsi has dismissed comments by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy that France "don't have any French players."

Rajoy made the comments in a column for Spanish newspaper El Debate, ahead of Tuesday's World Cup semifinal between the two nations.

When asked about the comments by Catalan radio station RAC1, Cubarsi disputed the notion.

"If they play for the French national team then at the end of the day they are French, regardless of the colour of their skin, because ultimately we have to be tolerant with everyone," the Barcelona defender said.

"The colour of their skin doesn't matter because we are all people and we all deserve respect."

Rajoy has been slammed by political figures within Spain after his comments.

Oscar Puente, Spain's Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, called Rajoy a "dim-witted, post-Francoist crook."

Current Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez referenced the comments without naming his predecessor, writing on X: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin colour. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing football. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses. France, we'll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."

Meanwhile, the French embassy in Madrid also rected to the racism writing: "Without wanting to get into a controversy, it is worth recalling the facts: All the players on the French national team are French. Of the 26 players, 23 were born in France. The three who were born abroad are French as well."

Various government ministers in France have also accused Rajoy of racism.