{"id":785276,"date":"2026-07-07T04:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/785276\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T04:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T04:00:11","slug":"kylian-mbappe-calls-out-blatant-racism-of-paraguayan-senator-for-colonised-cameroonian-remark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/785276\/","title":{"rendered":"Kylian Mbappe calls out \u2018blatant racism\u2019 of Paraguayan senator for \u2018colonised Cameroonian\u2019 remark"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Athletic has live coverage of USMNT vs Belgium<\/a> in the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kylian Mbappe has described Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla as \u201cdespicable\u201d and \u201cracist\u201d after she called the France captain a \u201ccolonised Cameroonian\u201d following the World Cup round-of-16 game between the two nations on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The French Football Federation has said it has reported Amarilla\u2019s comments to the public prosecutor\u2019s office \u201cwith a view to legal proceedings.\u201d\u00a0The Athletic has sought to clarify where such proceedings would take place.<\/p>\n

Later on Monday, the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry posted a statement on behalf of the country\u2019s government on X criticizing and distancing itself from Amarilla\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n

France beat Paraguay in a heated World Cup last-16 game on Saturday<\/a>, with Mbappe scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Amarilla, a 61-year-old lawyer who is a member of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, took to multiple social media platforms to criticize the Real Madrid player.<\/p>\n

In a post on Instagram<\/a> on Saturday night with two pictures of Mbappe attached, Amarilla called the 27-year-old a \u201ccolonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French\u201d as well as labelling him \u201cresentful, arrogant and ugly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was nervous and scared stiff for the whole match,\u201d she continued. \u201cJust like the rest of his team. They couldn\u2019t score a single goal, and they won by the skin of their teeth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing many of us hold against the Albirroja is that they didn\u2019t give him a good open-handed slap after the match was over. And I\u2019m not even a football fan.\u201d<\/p>\n

She had previously criticized Mbappe on X earlier on Saturday evening<\/a>, quoting a post of the forward celebrating in front of Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill: \u201cThat brute never even learnt to write. Instead of breast milk, he sucked on coconuts, and the most educated creatures he ever listened to were chimpanzees.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou should have given him the finger, Orlando Gill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amarilla has served in the Honorable Senate of the Republic of Paraguay since 2023 and has worked in politics in the South American nation since 1982.<\/p>\n

\"Mbappe<\/p>\n

\n Mbappe appeared to miss a handshake offered by Gill after full-time (Mauro Pimentel \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Mbappe responded to Amarilla\u2019s comments via a statement that was posted to X on Monday, in which he said: \u201cMs Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman, unworthy of your position.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do not represent Paraguay, a country that has shown such passion and honour throughout the tournament. 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. It is now overshadowed by an incompetent woman who is presenting the worst possible image of her country.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mbappe is France\u2019s all-time top scorer and leads the way for the World Cup Golden Boot with seven goals in four matches, tied with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.<\/p>\n

The French Football Federation backed up its men\u2019s national team captain in a subsequent statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe racist remarks made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla targeting Kylian Mbappe are utterly despicable and unacceptable,\u201d it said. \u201cHow can anyone make such comments? These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere. The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor\u2019s office with a view to legal proceedings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Federation 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. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Un but de plus pour Kylian Mbapp\u00e9. Contre le racisme cette fois. Tout mon soutien. Quand les mots salissent, nos valeurs r\u00e9pondent\u00a0: dignit\u00e9, respect, fraternit\u00e9. @KMbappe<\/a> \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n

\u2014 Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Athletic has contacted Amarilla\u2019s office for comment on the statements from Mbappe and the FFF.<\/p>\n

The Paraguayan Foreign Ministry said<\/a> the government \u201cdeplores and rejects\u201d Amarailla\u2019s remarks, \u201cwhich run counter to the values and principles that underpin peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, which our country promotes.\u201d<\/p>\n

It added that Amarailla\u2019s comments \u201crelate exclusively to the exercise of her individual responsibility as a member of the legislature and in no way represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or of the Paraguayan people.\u201d<\/p>\n