France captain Kylian Mbappe has launched a scathing attack on a Paraguayan senator, branding her a “despicable woman” after she directed a racist tirade at him following France’s World Cup victory over Paraguay.
The incident unfolded after Mbappe’s penalty secured a 1-0 win for France in Philadelphia on Saturday, propelling them into the quarter-finals.
Senator Celeste Amarilla took to X to publish a lengthy, racist post, describing Mbappe as a “colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French,” and a “brute” who had not learned to write.
She further suggested that Paraguay’s players should have physically assaulted him after the match.
Mbappe swiftly responded with a strongly worded statement, not only defending himself but also the Paraguayan players.
“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 honour throughout the competition,” he wrote.
“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.”
The French Football Federation (FFF) has escalated the matter, announcing its intention to file a criminal complaint against Amarilla.
The FFF described her remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable”.
“These remarks are criminal and reprehensible,” a statement read. “They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere. The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor’s office with a view to legal proceedings.
“These remarks bring shame upon those who make them and those who disseminate them. The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted.”
The Paraguayan government has also condemned the senator’s comments, stating it “deplores and rejects the statements” made by Amarilla.
It clarified that her remarks are “contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes”, and “in no way represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people”.
French president Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed that the Paraguayan president had written to him to express support and condemn the remarks.
Basilio Nunez, the leader of the Paraguayan legislature, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the comments do not represent the “genuine values” of Paraguayans.
“As President of the National Congress, I strongly reject racist, xenophobic messages and those that incite violence against any person,” Nunez said. “The Paraguayan national team gave their all with honour and grit at the World Cup. Politics and sports should be kept separate.”
France’s assistant coach, Guy Stephan, added his voice to the condemnation, stating: “We haven’t spoken with Kylian yet, haven’t had the opportunity. But in three words: it’s disgraceful, vile, outrageous.”
Reuters
