Mbappé Responds to Racist Remarks
France striker Kylian Mbappé has condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla as a 'despicable woman' after she launched a racist attack on him. The incident followed France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday, where Mbappé scored the winning penalty in an ill-tempered match that secured France's place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Celeste Amarilla posted a lengthy racist tirade on X, describing Mbappé as a 'colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French' and as a 'brute who had not learned to write'. She also suggested Paraguay's players should have slapped him after the match.
Mbappé's Strong Statement
Mbappé, the France captain, responded with a strongly worded statement defending not only himself but also 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.
'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.'
French Football Federation Takes Action
The French Football Federation (FFF) escalated the matter, announcing plans to file criminal charges and describing her remarks as 'utterly abhorrent and unacceptable'. A statement 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. 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.'
Mbappé has scored seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, leading France's attack as they aim to defend their title. The match against Paraguay was marked by tension, with Mbappé's penalty proving decisive in a 1-0 victory that advanced France to the quarter-finals.
Background and Context
Celeste Amarilla is a Paraguayan senator known for controversial statements. Her comments have drawn widespread condemnation, with many highlighting the ongoing issue of racism in football. The FFF's decision to pursue criminal charges underscores the seriousness with which they view such attacks. Mbappé's response has been praised for its dignity and strength, as he continues to stand against racism both on and off the pitch.
