Paraguay’s government and French officials have condemned racist comments made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla about French soccer star Kylian Mbappé following France’s victory over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup.
Amarilla drew widespread criticism after posting racist remarks on social media that targeted Mbappé and questioned his identity as a French citizen. Her comments quickly spread online, prompting backlash from political leaders, soccer organizations and anti-racism advocates.
The Paraguayan government responded by distancing itself from the senator’s statements. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Amarilla’s comments did not represent the views of the government or the Paraguayan people.
“The statements made by Senator Celeste Amarilla are exclusively her personal responsibility,” the ministry said. It added that Paraguay remains committed to promoting equality, respect for human dignity and the fight against racism and discrimination. The government also expressed its respect and solidarity with the people of France.
French officials also strongly criticized the remarks.
French President Emmanuel Macron voiced his support for Mbappé, saying the star forward had his full backing. France’s sports minister called the senator’s comments “disgraceful” and said racism has no place in sports or society.
The French Football Federation also condemned the remarks and announced it would pursue legal action. The organization described the comments as unacceptable and reaffirmed its commitment to combating racism in soccer.
Mbappé responded on social media, calling the senator’s remarks “despicable” and saying they unfairly overshadowed Paraguay’s achievements during the World Cup.
The controversy has renewed international attention on racism in sports and the responsibility of public officials to promote respect and inclusion. Soccer organizations and government leaders have continued to call for stronger efforts to eliminate discrimination both on and off the field.
The incident comes as FIFA and national soccer associations continue campaigns against racism, emphasizing that discriminatory behavior has no place in the game.
