With a mouthwatering semi-final tie to come between France and Spain, all the focus should be on the football. Sadly, however, the World Cup meeting has been hijacked by some to push a racist agenda.
So far, France have probably been the strongest team this summer, with Kylian Mbappe and co essentially cruising all the way to the semi-finals. At this point, though, they will meet Spain, one of the other big favourites to win the tournament.
Unfortunatly, Mariano Rajoy, who served as Spain's Prime Minister from 2011-2018, has sparked outrage with 'disgraceful' comments about the French national football team in the build-up to the game. Spanish defender Pau Cubarsi is among those to offer up a strong response to the quotes.
France's Kylian Mbappe reacts Related
World Cup: Kylian Mbappe Shares Statement After Paraguayan Senator's Racist Attack
The France captain has called out the senator's racism.
Former Spain PM Makes Racist France Claim
Former Spain Prime Minister, Mariano RajoyAction Images / Tony O'Brien
Former Spain PM Rajoy sparked a huge backlash with his recent comments, as he claimed that France 'don't have any French players.' He wrote:
"What will happen? It's not easy to answer such a question. Without going into too much detail, it's worth remembering that France has been a two-time world champion and a finalist in the last edition. They've won every match they've played in this World Cup and are currently ranked number one in the FIFA rankings.
"They also have a top-level squad. That said, they don't have any French players. And they're playing very well. They'll be a formidable opponent."
Among those to condemn the racists remaks was Spain's current Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, who said: "There are those who still measure belonging by surname, place of birth, or skin color. Others measure it by our roots in a country and our will to contribute to it. Playing soccer. Caring for our elders. Or opening businesses.
"Spain belongs to those who love it and work for it. Not to those who shame it with xenophobic statements. France, we'll see you in the semifinals. May the best one win and may racism lose."
The French embassy in Madrid have also responded to Rajoy's claims. They pointed out, "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."
Adding to the voices of dissent against Rajoy's deplorable comments, Spain World Cup star Cubarsi has spoken out. The 19-year-old defender rejected the racist notion, saying:
"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 colour of their skin doesn't matter because we are all people and we all deserve respect."
The Barcelona youngster has started every game for Spain this summer, conceding just one goal in those six matches. He will no doubt have to be at his best to mantain such an impressive record when up against France's many talented attackers in the semi-final, which takes place at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, July 14.