France captain Kylian Mbappé has strongly criticised Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she posted a series of racist remarks on social media following Paraguay’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup.The controversy erupted after France defeated Paraguay in the Round of 16 on Saturday, with Mbappé scoring the decisive penalty to send Les Bleus into the quarter-finals. Following the match, Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, published posts on X that mocked the French star’s background, appearance, education and origins.
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Mbappé responded publicly on Monday, condemning the comments and accusing the senator of overshadowing what had been a historic tournament for Paraguay.“Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup,” Mbappé wrote on X.The France forward also described Amarilla as a “despicable woman” who was “unworthy” of serving in Paraguay’s Congress.The backlash quickly extended beyond football. Paraguay’s government released an official statement distancing itself from the senator’s remarks and condemning them.The statement described Amarilla’s comments as “contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes.” Authorities also stressed that her views did not represent either the Paraguayan government or the Paraguayan people.The French Football Federation also issued a strong response, labelling the comments “utterly abhorrent” and “unacceptable.” The federation said it would refer the matter to prosecutors.Support for Mbappé came from the highest levels of the French government. Emmanuel Macron publicly backed the striker, as did French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari.“By targeting Kylian Mbappé, the senator is attacking everything our captain embodies and everything our country stands for: liberty, equality and fraternity,” Ferrari wrote on X.
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Macron also voiced his support, posting: “One more goal for Kylian Mbappé. This time against racism,” while adding that the France captain had his “full support.”The latest controversy comes just days after former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert sparked criticism before the match by referring to France as “a squad from Africa.” In response, French federation president Philippe Diallo said Chilavert “was once a great goalkeeper” but had now “fallen into disgrace.”France will now turn its attention back to the pitch as it prepares to face Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals, while the fallout from the racist remarks continues to dominate headlines off the field.
