France captain Kylian Mbappé has slammed Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after posting racist comments on social media following Paraguay’s exclusion from the group. FIFA World Cup. The controversy began when France defeated Paraguay in the round of 16 on Saturday, with Mbappé scoring the decisive goal to send Les Bleus to the quarter-finals. After the match, Amarilla, a senator from the Paraguayan Liberal Radical Party, published articles on X that insulted the French star’s history, appearance, education and where he came from.
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Mbappé responded publicly on Monday, condemning the comments and accusing the senate of covering up what was a popular competition in Paraguay. “In your indifference and your indiscriminate prejudice, the whole world has already forgotten this journey and the history of your players in this World Cup,” Mbappé wrote on X. The French striker also described Amarilla as a “despicable woman” who was “unfit” to serve in the Paraguayan Congress. The backlash spread faster than the ball. The Paraguayan government has released a statement dissociating itself from the senator’s comments and criticism. The statement described Amarilla’s comments as “contrary to the values that promote peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes.” Officials also emphasized that his views do not represent the Paraguayan government or the Paraguayan people. The French Football Federation also issued a strong response, labeling the comments “deeply offensive” and “unacceptable.” The agency said it will refer the matter to the prosecutors. Mbappé’s support came from the upper echelons of the French government. Emmanuel Macron publicly supported the shooter, as did French sports minister Marina Ferrari. “Looking at Kylian Mbappé, the senator is attacking everything that our captain has and everything that our country stands for: freedom, equality and brotherhood,” Ferrari wrote on X.
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Macron also showed his support, writing: “Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. This time against racism,” adding that the French captain had “full support”.The latest row comes just days after Paraguay’s former goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert criticized the game before calling France an “African army”. In response, French federal president Philippe Diallo said Chilavert “was a great player” but now “has fallen into disgrace.” France will now turn their attention back to the pitch as they prepare to face Morocco in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, with the fallout from racist slurs continuing to make headlines at the game.
