Kylian Mbappe has condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla for a racist attack on social media following France's 1-0 win over Paraguay in the World Cup last-16 clash. Mbappe's 70th-minute penalty proved decisive in the bad-tempered match, which saw Paraguay's physical approach criticized by fans and pundits, including former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who called their tactics an 'absolute disgrace.'
Senator's racist rant
Reacting to a photograph of Mbappe celebrating near Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, Amarilla, a member of Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, posted on X: 'The brute didn't even learn to write. Instead of mother's milk, he sucked on coconuts, and the most educated thing he heard were chimpanzees. You should've shown him the finger, Orlando Gill; I do it in the senate and nothing happens!!!'
The rant came days after Paraguayan legend Jose Luis Chilavert made racist remarks, claiming his country was facing an 'African team' in Philadelphia. The French Football Federation condemned Chilavert's comments, with president Philippe Diallo stating: 'I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by Jose Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in our football. If he was once a great goalkeeper, this man has now fallen into disgrace.'
Mbappe's response
Twenty-four hours after Amarilla's rant, Mbappe issued a defiant response on X: '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. 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.'
Impact on tournament
Mbappe's condemnation overshadowed Paraguay's achievements, as the senator's remarks drew global criticism. France, the 2022 runners-up, will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Thursday at 9pm BST. Mbappe is joint-top scorer at the tournament with seven goals in five appearances, alongside Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.
