Spain rising star Lamine Yamal highlighted the unifying power of football following the racist remarks made by former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy.
“If football can make a difference, it’s through integration. France and we are both examples of integration. That’s what football is all about – not talking about what other people say,” he said ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final against France.
“Tomorrow we will play one of the most beautiful matches one can experience in a World Cup. I don’t think now it’s the right moment to talk about that.”
Rajoy, a former politician of the conservative People’s Party (PP), wrote in an article for online newspaper El Debate that France had a top-tier roster. However, he claimed that there were no French players in the national team. The article was met with sharp criticism in both France and Spain.
French midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery was also asked about the comments. He said he didn’t read the article.
“This French team has players from different backgrounds and ethnicities. Just like the country. We are a united group, a united team, and that’s all that matters,” Zaïre-Emery said.
