Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that the title of the Blues World Cup was actually a victory of the African continent, in reference to the origins of several players.

On July 15, the French football team won the World Cup against the Croatian selection (4-2). While the players in communion with all the French people celebrate the feat of occupying the throne of world football, the controversy continues to swell on the origins of several players of this team of blues.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is no exception, and believes that the world title of the Blues is in fact a victory for the African continent. The Venezuelan head of state says so in reference to the African origins of several players.

“The France team looked like the African team. In truth, it is Africa that won, the African immigrants who arrived in France(…). Africa has been so despised and in this World Cup, France wins and thanks to African players or African sons,” said President Maduro.

Of the 23 French players who were selected for the Russian World 14 were of African descent. Nicolas Maduro took the opportunity to stigmatize European countries on their racist and discriminatory behavior towards Latin American and African nationals.

“Stop racism in Europe against the African people, stop discrimination against migrants. I hope that France and Europe realize that we in the South, Africans, Latin Americans, we also have value and power,” he added.

Nicolas Maduro did not fail to congratulate the Blues for playing “divinely good” and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for the organization of what he considered to be “the best Football World Cup in history”.

Prior to President Maduro, former Croatian coach Igor Stimac had already indicated on Facebook that the France team had a significant number of players from Africa. He posted this message, giving the names and countries of the players involved:

“Anyone know who exactly is playing in the final? Kimpembe (Congo), Dembele (Mauritania), Sidibe (Mali), Umtiti (Cameroon), Pogba (Guinea), Tolisso (Togo), Matuidi (Angola), Kante (Mali), Nzonzi (Congo), Mbappe (Cameroon), Mendy (Senegal), Mandanda (Congo), Fekir (Algeria)… Respect!”, Wrote the former WestHam player.