Kylian Mbappe fires back at Paraguayan senator’s racist attack after France’s World Cup last-16 victory

MIAMI – France striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a “despicable woman” on July 6 after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay’s elimination from the World Cup.

The 27-year-old’s penalty proved the difference in a bruising and ill-tempered match, as France won 1-0 in Philadelphia on July 4 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Celeste Amarilla wrote a long, racist tirade on X, describing Mbappe as a “colonised Cameroonian desperately trying to pass himself off as French”, and as a “brute” who had not learnt to write.

Paraguay’s players should have slapped him after the match, the 61-year-old added.

Mbappe, the Les Bleus 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.”

The French Football Federation (FFF) escalated the matter, announcing plans to file a criminal complaint, describing her remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable”.

“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,” it said.

“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.”

Football’s world governing body FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he “unequivocally condemns” the racist abuse.

The Paraguayan government said it “deplores and rejects the statements” made by Amarilla, adding that they are “contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes”.

“The statements of the aforementioned legislator correspond exclusively to the exercise of her individual responsibility as a member of the legislative branch, and in no way represent the position of the government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people,” it said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said Paraguayan President Santiago Pena had written to him to express support and condemned the remarks.

Macron on July 7 offered words of support for the Les Bleus captain. “Another goal for Kylian Mbappe. Against racism this time. All my support. When words smear, our values ​​respond: dignity, respect, fraternity,” he said in a post on X.

Basilio Nunez, the leader of the legislature, said the comments do not represent the “genuine 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 their all with honour and grit at the World Cup. Politics and sports should be kept separate.” REUTERS