Mbappé Brands Paraguayan Senator ‘Despicable’ After Racist Attack
Kylian Mbappé has publicly condemned a Paraguayan senator who directed a racist tirade at him following France’s narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday, with the French Football Federation (FFF) now moving to pursue criminal charges over the remarks.
According to The Guardian, senator Celeste Amarilla posted a lengthy attack on X after the match, describing the France captain as a “colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French” and suggesting that Paraguay’s players should have physically attacked him after the final whistle. The remarks were widely condemned across the football world.
Mbappé, whose penalty proved the decisive moment in what was reportedly an ill-tempered encounter, responded with a pointed statement that defended not only himself but also the Paraguay squad. He called Amarilla “a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,” adding that through her racism she had wiped out the goodwill earned by Paraguay’s players during the tournament. He finished by making clear he would not allow individuals to “spread their hatred and racism across the world” unchallenged.
The FFF moved quickly to escalate the matter beyond the court of public opinion, announcing it would refer Amarilla’s comments to the public prosecutor’s office. The federation described her remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable” and stated plainly that they are “criminal and reprehensible” and must be prosecuted. The FFF also framed the attack as an insult directed at France as a nation, not just its captain.
What This Means in the Context of the Tournament
France’s win moves them into the World Cup quarter-finals, and UK-based fans tracking their progress can follow the latest results and standings via our live standings page or visit the full World Cup 2026 hub for fixtures, odds and analysis.
The episode has cast a shadow over what had otherwise been a notable run for Paraguay, a side that the FFF itself acknowledged had shown “passion and honour” throughout the competition. Amarilla’s outburst has drawn far more attention than anything that happened on the pitch, which is precisely the point Mbappé appeared to be making in his response.
Whether criminal proceedings in France will lead anywhere given jurisdictional complications remains to be seen, but the FFF’s decision to act formally signals that the federation is treating this with the seriousness the situation demands.