Kylian Mbappé has strongly condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, labeling her a “despicable woman” after she launched a racist attack on him. The France captain scored the only goal in a tense 1-0 victory over Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday, securing France’s place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Racist tirade from senator
Amarilla posted a lengthy tirade on X, describing Mbappé as a “colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French” and a “brute who had not learned to write”. She also suggested Paraguay’s players should have slapped him after the match.
Mbappé responded with a forceful statement defending himself and the Paraguay 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.
Mbappé condemns racism
“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.”
FFF files criminal charges
The French Football Federation (FFF) escalated the matter, announcing plans to file criminal charges. They described her remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable”. In a statement, the FFF said: “These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. 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.”
The FFF added: “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.”
