Paris, France (Running Africa) — France captain Kylian Mbappé has strongly condemned racist comments made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla targeting his African heritage, prompting the French Football Federation (FFF) to file a criminal complaint with French prosecutors.
The controversy emerged following France’s 2-1 victory over Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, when Amarilla, a member of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Authentic Party, posted comments on X mocking MbappĂ©’s ancestry.
MbappĂ© responded publicly, denouncing the remarks as “despicable” and warning that they had overshadowed what he described as Paraguay’s outstanding World Cup campaign while portraying the South American nation in a negative light.
“I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world,” MbappĂ© wrote.
The FFF swiftly announced it would pursue legal action, describing the senator’s comments as discriminatory and potentially constituting a criminal offence under French law. The federation reaffirmed its commitment to combating racism and discrimination in football and society.
French President Emmanuel Macron also voiced his support for Mbappé, stating that France would continue to uphold the values of dignity, equality and respect while taking a firm stance against racism in all its forms.
The Paraguayan government distanced itself from Amarilla’s comments, stressing that the senator’s views did not reflect the country’s official position or the values of the Paraguayan people.
Amarilla later confirmed that she had deleted the posts, saying they were written in the heat of the moment. However, she also demanded that Mbappé withdraw his criticism and apologize, arguing that his public response amounted to gender-based violence and warning that she could pursue legal action if he refused.
The incident has reignited conversations about racism in global football, with governing bodies and players continuing to call for stronger measures to combat discrimination both on and off the pitch.
For MbappĂ©, one of the world’s most prominent footballers, the episode underscores the ongoing challenges faced by athletes of African heritage, even as football authorities intensify efforts to eliminate racism from the sport.
