Pedro Sanchez apologizes again for Mariano Rajoy's racist comments about France

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez personally apologized to French officials during his visit to Paris for the Bastille Day celebrations, addressing the controversial comments made by his predecessor, Mariano Rajoy. In footage captured during the event, the Prime Minister was seen speaking with French government officials and Brigitte Macron, stating that he felt "so ashamed" regarding the remarks.

The controversy stems from an op-ed published in the Spanish outlet El Debate, where former conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy claimed that while France had a "very high-level" team, it was one "without French people." These statements immediately sparked intense backlash, with politicians in France and Spain, as well as several Spanish players, defending the French side ahead of the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez labeled the comments "absolutely unacceptable," while Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that France does not have a skin color, describing the contrary claim as rooted in ignorance and racism. The incident has caused significant political friction, leading Sanchez to distance his administration from the former leader's views.