The President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro says Africa won the football World Cup for France.
He says the high number of African immigrants that played in the France national team helped them win the tournament.
Maduro is asking Europe to look back on this achievement and end discrimination against immigrants.
Venezuela state television quoted him as saying “the French team won, although it looked like an African team. Actually, Africa won – the African immigrants who have arrived in France. I hope Europe receives that message”
No more racism in Europe against the African people, no more discrimination against immigrants,” he added.
“French African Team”
15 out of the 23 players in the France national squad can trace their heritage back to Africa. They come from mainly French colonies.
France beat Croatia in the final on Sunday in Russia’s capital Moscow.
France’s progress to the deciding game kept alive interest for Africa with the diverse and multi-cultured French squad.
The black players have roots linked to Algeria, Angola, Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.
Close links between French and African football go back some 80 years. Some notable stars including Zinedine Zidane who traces his heritage to Morocco helped France win the 1998 world cup.