Spain's former prime minister Mariano Rajoy has defended himself with sarcasm rather than an apology after earlier comments saying France's national football team had "no French players" sparked an outcry.
Rajoy was accused of racism and spreading hatred by politicians in both countries after making the remark in an opinion article published last week.
In a new column published Tuesday night, Rajoy did not directly address his earlier comment.
READ MORE: Spain's ex-PM in hot water over 'xenophobic' remark about French team
Instead, the conservative former leader thanked "the authorities for the attention they have paid me during this World Cup.
