The government of Paraguay has said it “deplores and rejects” comments directed at Kylian Mbappe from Celeste Amarilla, the senator who is now demanding an apology from the France striker after he accused her of racism.
Mbappe said Amarilla’s remarks were “despicable” and “racist” after she called the France captain a “colonised Cameroonian” following the World Cup last 16 match between the two nations on Saturday. Paraguay’s government said on Monday that Amarilla’s remarks were “contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes.”
In a post on Instagram on Saturday night with two pictures of Mbappe attached, Amarilla called the 27 year old a “colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French” as well as labelling him “resentful, arrogant and ugly.” Mbappe responded with a statement posted on social media on Monday, accusing the 61 year old lawyer of “thoughtlessness” and “blatant racism.”
Amarilla posted fresh criticism of Mbappe later on Monday in a lengthy open letter addressed to the Real Madrid forward, in which she doubled down on her initial comments. She alleged that Mbappe showed a lack of respect by not shaking hands with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill after Saturday’s match, describing this as an “almost sacred” act and claiming his refusal displayed “contempt, arrogance, and a lack of manners.”
Amarilla then demanded that Mbappe issue her an apology. “I will not tolerate your abuse; you do not know me, you have no idea who I am, and you have no right to say that I am a despicable woman, unworthy of the office I hold.” She finalised her statement by saying that if Mbappe did not “retract” his statement, she “may take legal action for gender based violence.”
The Paraguayan government added that the initial comments from Amarilla, a member of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, did not represent the government or its people, and that it remained committed to “combating racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and all forms of hatred or discrimination.”
The French Football Federation said on Monday it had reported Amarilla’s comments to the public prosecutor’s office “with a view to legal proceedings.”
“You do not represent Paraguay, a country that has shown such passion and honour throughout the tournament,” Mbappe wrote on X on Monday. “Because of your thoughtlessness and your blatant racism, the whole world has already forgotten the historic journey and effort your players made during this World Cup. I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”
Amarilla has served in the senate since 2023 and has worked in Paraguayan politics since 1982. Mbappe is France’s all time top scorer and leads the race for the World Cup Golden Boot with seven goals in four matches, level with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.
France beat Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday in an ill-tempered affair, with Mbappe scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot after 70 minutes. They face Morocco in the quarter finals in Foxborough on Friday.
