Democratic U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett linked the widespread support Spain received in the World Cup final to what she described as Argentina’s “history of racism” during a congressional hearing on Tuesday, sparking controversy.
Crockett, a Texas Democrat, argued that much of the world’s backing for Spain over Argentina stemmed from perceptions of the South American country’s racial history.
The remarks came during a congressional hearing featuring historian David Blight and Anthea Hartig, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Referring to the World Cup final, Crockett asked Blight: “The last two teams were Argentina and Spain. It seemed like the overwhelming majority of the world was rooting for … Argentina? Or, actually, against Argentina. Why do you think that was? Care to venture an explanation?”
Blight replied that Spain “was the better team, maybe that’s why people supported them.” Crockett dismissed the explanation and said that there is also “ a history of racism when it comes to Argentina.”
