French soccer star Kylian Mbappé has condemned racist remarks made by a Paraguayan senator following France's World Cup victory over Paraguay. The French Football Federation has officially lodged a complaint with prosecutors, calling for a hate crime investigation into the senator's comments.
The controversy erupted after France secured a 1-0 win against Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia, with Mbappé scoring the decisive goal. Following the match, Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla posted a series of inflammatory messages on social media directed at the French player.
On the social media platform X, Amarilla reportedly referred to Mbappé as a "brute" and made derogatory claims about his upbringing. Further comments on Instagram described Mbappé as a "colonized Cameroonian pretending to be French," accusing him of being resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly.
Mbappé responded directly to the senator's remarks on X, labeling her "a despicable woman" who is unworthy of her public office. He stated that Amarilla's actions and "brazen racism" had overshadowed Paraguay's World Cup performance and presented a negative image of her country. Mbappé vowed to prevent such hateful rhetoric from spreading.
The French Football Federation, through its president Philippe Diallo, issued a statement condemning Amarilla's comments as "vile, criminal and reprehensible." The federation confirmed its full support for Mbappé and its decision to pursue legal action.