IN BRIEF
- A Paraguayan senator has criticised French star Kylian Mbappé's heritage and nationality.
- Paraguay's government said it "deplores and rejects" the comments made Celeste Amarilla.
The French Football Federation says it will file a lawsuit against a Paraguayan senator who posted racist remarks about the French team's star striker and captain, Kylian Mbappé.
On Sunday, France beat Paraguay 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup's Round of 16, with Mbappé scoring the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 70th minute.
Following France's victory, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla posted to X about the match. Her post included personal attacks about Mbappé, describing him as "newly rich, arrogant and ugly". She also criticised his Cameroonian heritage and nationality.
The French Football Federation, which organises and governs elite football in France, described the comments as "criminal and reprehensible".
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"These remarks bring shame upon those who make them and those who disseminate them. The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted."
The federation said it will file a report with the public prosecutor's office, with a view to starting legal proceedings.
Mbappé also responded to the remarks on social media, describing Amarilla as a "despicable woman" who he believes is "unworthy" of her position.
"You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition," the 27-year-old said.
"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 ..."
'Disgraceful, vile, outrageous'
Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement following the incident.
"The Government of the Republic of Paraguay deplores and rejects the remarks made by Senator Celeste Amarilla regarding the captain of the French national team," it read.
"These statements run counter to the values and principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes."
The government added that the Republic of Paraguay is governed by the "principle of the separation and independence of state powers". In this context, it said statements made by Amarilla "in no way" represent the position of the Paraguayan government or people.
French President Emmanuel Macron's office confirmed that Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios had written to him to express support and condemn the remarks.
Guy Stephan, the assistant coach of France's national football team, summed up the incident in three words — "disgraceful, vile, outrageous".
Amirilla, 61, is a lawyer in Paraguay and member of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party.
She previously posted about Mbappé on Saturday — criticising the footballer's heritage and intelligence on social media.
In a statement, the French Football Association reaffirmed that it "offers its full support to its captain, its players and, more broadly, to all victims of such abhorrent remarks".
"Now more than ever, the FFF is committed to combating racism and all forms of discrimination."
— With additional reporting by Reuters.
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