Paraguay senator’s racist remarks on Mbappé sparks outrage On Social Media

By Hotepo Setonyon

Following the France vs. Paraguay match, which many football fans described as more of a tug of war than a normal football match, Paraguay senator Celeste Amarilla sparked widespread controversy with racist remarks directed at Kylian Mbappé, prompting a sharp response from the French superstar and condemnation from football authorities and public officials.

France defeated Paraguay in the World Cup Round of 16 on Saturday, with Mbappé scoring the only goal of the match from the penalty spot to send Les Bleus into the quarter-finals after a fiercely contested encounter.

After the final whistle, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill attempted to shake hands with Mbappé, but the French captain ignored the gesture.

Speaking during his post-match press conference, Mbappé said France had expected a physical contest and were prepared for it.

“We knew what kind of match we were going to have. We can also get our hands dirty, we know how to do it. We know how to play ugly football. Guess they were thinking we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready.”

Shortly after the match, Amarilla published a series of posts on X in which she launched personal and racist attacks against Mbappé.

Among her comments, she wrote:

“This brute hasn’t even learned to write. Instead of breastmilk, he grew up sucking on coconuts, and the most educated creatures he ever heard were chimpanzees.”

“You should’ve given him the middle finger, Orlando Gill (Paraguay GK).”

“A colonized Cameroonian, pretending to be French, resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly.”

Mbappé responded with a strongly worded statement, condemning the senator’s remarks and defending Paraguay’s image.

“Mrs. Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition.”

“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.”

Amarilla later responded by threatening to sue Mbappé for gender-based violence if he did not apologise for his remarks.

According to ESPN, the French Football Federation described Amarilla’s comments as “racist,” “utterly abhorrent,” and “unacceptable,” adding that it would pursue judicial action over the incident.

Paraguay Vice President Pedro Alliana also condemned the remarks, saying:

“Football is an expression of brotherhood. It should unite countries and people. Within the passions and emotions of its realm, there is no room for any form of discrimination.”

Paraguay congresswoman Johanna Ortega also criticised Amarilla and apologised to the French people.

“On the field, we are adversaries, but off it, we are united by far more: respect, dignity, and the pursuit of equality among all people. As a member of the Paraguayan Congress, my solidarity and my apologies to the French people.”