Kylian Mbappé, captain of the France national team, has strongly condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, labelling her a “despicable woman” following a racist attack on him. The senator’s comments were posted on X after Paraguay’s elimination from the World Cup, where France secured a 1-0 victory in Philadelphia on Saturday, advancing to the quarter-finals.
Mbappé’s penalty was the decisive factor in the match. Following the game, Amarilla published a lengthy, racist tirade, referring to Mbappé as a “colonized Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French,” and a “brute” who lacked writing skills. She also suggested that Paraguayan players should have physically assaulted him after the match.
The French captain issued a robust statement on Monday, not only defending himself but also the Paraguayan players. He wrote, “Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition.”
Mbappé further stated, “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, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country. I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”
Official condemnations and legal action
The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced its intention to file a criminal complaint regarding Amarilla’s remarks, describing them as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.” The FFF stated that these comments are “criminal and reprehensible” and should be prosecuted. They are reporting the matter to the public prosecutor’s office to initiate legal proceedings, asserting that the remarks bring shame upon those who make and disseminate them, and that France as a country is being insulted through its national team players.
The Paraguayan government has also officially deplored and rejected Amarilla’s statements, clarifying that her comments do not reflect the country’s values or its people. They emphasised that her remarks are contrary to the principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that Paraguay promotes. The government further stated that her comments are solely her individual responsibility as a member of the Legislative Branch and do not represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or its people.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed that the Paraguayan president had written to him to express support and condemn the remarks. On Tuesday, Macron offered his support to Mbappé, posting, “Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. Against racism this time. All my support. When words smear, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity.”
Basilio Nunez, the leader of Paraguay’s legislature, also asserted that the comments do not represent the “genuine values” of Paraguayans. He strongly rejected racist, xenophobic messages and those inciting violence, stressing that politics and sports should remain separate, and acknowledging the honour and grit shown by the Paraguayan national team at the World Cup.
Broader context of racist remarks
France’s assistant coach, Guy Stephan, described the senator’s comments as “disgraceful, vile, outrageous.” This incident follows previous racist remarks made by former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert in the build-up to the match, who referred to the French national side as “a squad from Africa.”
FFF president Philippe Diallo had previously condemned Chilavert’s comments in the strongest possible terms, calling him a “disgrace” and stating that such remarks undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in football. Mbappé, with seven goals, is currently the joint top-scorer in this year’s tournament, alongside Lionel Messi of Argentina and Erling Haaland of Norway.
France is scheduled to play Morocco in the quarter-finals in Boston on Thursday.
