Mbappe slams Paraguayan senator’s racist attack on World Cup defeat
France captain Kylian Mbappe has strongly condemned the racist attack launched by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla following France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup. The attacker called the politician a “despicable woman” and said she would never allow racism and hatred to go unchallenged.
Controversy erupted afterwards Mbappe’s penalty ensured France progress to the quarter-finals on Saturday in Philadelphia. After the match, Amarilla posted a long racist message on social media targeting Mbappe’s legacy and urging the Paraguay players to “slap” him after the final whistle.
Mbappe defended not only himself but Paraguay’s players on Monday, insisting the senator’s comments did not reflect the South American nation’s values.
“Madame Celeste Amarillo, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, a country that sweated passion and honor during the competition,” wrote Mbappe.
“Through your recklessness and your blatant racism, the whole world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort your players made during this World Cup and made 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 around the world.”
The incident has since drawn widespread condemnation from football authorities and political leaders in both France and Paraguay.
FRENCH FEDERATION FOCUSED ON LEGAL ACTION
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced it would file criminal charges against Amarilla, calling her comments “absolutely repugnant and unacceptable”.
“These statements are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere. The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor’s office for legal proceedings,” the federation said.
“These remarks bring shame to those who make them and those who spread them. The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted.”
France’s assistant coach Guy Stephan condemned the comments as harshly as possible.
“We haven’t spoken to Kylian yet, we haven’t had the chance,” Stephan said.
“But in three words: it’s disgraceful, disgusting, outrageous.
PARAGUAY DISTANCE FROM NOTES
The Paraguayan government quickly distanced itself from Amarilla’s comments, stressing that they reflected only her personal views, not those of the country or its people.
In an official statement, the government said it “condemns and rejects the statements” of the senator, adding that they are “contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country upholds.”
It also clarified that Amarilla’s remarks “in no way represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people”.
Paraguay’s National Congress also criticized the senator’s comments.
Congress President Basilio Nunez said the remarks did not represent the “true 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 everything at the World Cup with honor and determination. Politics and sport should be separated.”
Meanwhile, France progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to Mbappe’s decisive penalty, but the fallout from Saturday’s clash reached far beyond the football pitch, with the France captain once again coming out strongly against racism.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
07 Jul 2026 05:21 IST