French forward Kylian Mbappé has condemned a Paraguayan senator as “despicable” and unfit for her position after she published racist comments deriding his heritage and education.
Celeste Amarilla, a member of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, shared the remarks on X following her nation’s loss to France in the World Cup round of 16.
Mbappé replied directly: “Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, a country that displayed passion and honour throughout the tournament. Through your recklessness and blatant racism, the world has already forgotten the historic effort of your players, overshadowed by an incompetent woman who tarnishes her nation’s image. I will never allow people like her to spread hatred and racism freely.”
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced it will file criminal charges, calling Amarilla’s comments “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.”
In an official statement, the FFF said: “These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here and elsewhere. The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor’s office with a view to legal proceedings. Such statements bring shame upon those who make and share them. The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted.”
The Paraguayan government said it “deplores and rejects the statements” by Amarilla, describing them as “contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes.”
Mbappé converted a winning penalty in the second half of Saturday’s match, securing a quarter-final clash against Morocco in Boston on Thursday.
With seven goals, Mbappé is the tournament’s joint top scorer alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Norway’s Erling Haaland.
French President Emmanuel Macron posted: “Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. Against racism this time. All my support. When words defile, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity.”
Amarilla’s comments follow those of former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who said ahead of the match that his national side would face “a squad from Africa.”
Those remarks prompted a response from FFF president Philippe Diallo, who labelled Chilavert a “disgrace.”
Diallo stated: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by José Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in our football. If he was once a great goalkeeper, this man has now fallen into disgrace.”