Key facts
- Kylian Mbappé condemned racist remarks by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla.
- Mbappé called Amarilla "despicable" and "unworthy" of her political role.
- Amarilla's comments included racial slurs and accusations against Mbappé.
- French officials, including President Macron and Sports Minister Ferrari, condemned the remarks.
- The Paraguayan government distanced itself from the senator's statements.
- Amarilla later issued a letter to Mbappé, expressing regret but also making demands.
Football superstar Kylian Mbappé has publicly condemned what he described as "despicable" and "brazenly racist" remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla. The comments by Amarilla followed France's victory over Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16. Mbappé took to social media platform X to voice his outrage, stating that Amarilla was "unworthy" of serving in Paraguay's Congress and did not represent the nation.
Amarilla's remarks reportedly included racial abuse directed at Mbappé, with one post calling him a "colonised Cameroonian who has really pretended to be French, embittered, nouveau riche, arrogant and ugly." The comments have sparked significant backlash in France, with Sports Minister Marina Ferrari labelling them "abject, disgraceful and all the more unacceptable coming from a politician." President Emmanuel Macron also stood with Mbappé, condemning the "racist attacks" against the French team's captain.
The Paraguayan government issued a statement denouncing Amarilla's comments as contrary to the country's values of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, asserting that her remarks do not represent the government or the Paraguayan people. Late Monday, Amarilla released an open letter in French and Spanish to Mbappé. She stated her issue was with the player, not France, and regretted using insults she herself had experienced as a mixed-race person. However, she also demanded an apology from Mbappé for alleged gender-based violence in his comments about her and threatened legal action.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also weighed in, expressing solidarity with Mbappé and emphasizing the need for collective action against racism in football and society.