France investigates racist statements made by Paraguayan senator about Mbappé

Paraguayan senator makes racist insults against French striker Kylian Mbappé
French authorities have opened an investigation to investigate racist statements made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla about France's star player, Kylian Mbappé. The information was released by the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office this Tuesday (7).
Following a complaint filed this Tuesday by the French Football Federation (FFF), the Paris MP "immediately opened an investigation" for "aggravated public defamation" based on the "origin, ethnicity, nationality, race or religion of the victim, real or presumed", the MP told AFP.
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The president of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, had already said that he would denounce Amarilla's statements after France defeated Paraguay in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé, France striker, and Celeste Amarilla, senator in Paraguay.
Reuters/James Lang/Reproduction/social media
Senator is accused of racism
Hours after the Paraguayan team was eliminated, senator Celeste Amarilla published a series of attacks on Mbappé on the social network X. In the posts, she made comments about the player's appearance, origin and identity, using terms considered racist and xenophobic. The senator also told Mbappé that the most educated thing the attacker heard were chimpanzees.
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The statements provoked a strong reaction in France. The French Sports Minister classified the publications as "abject" and "racist", while the French Football Federation said it intended to take action against the French MP.
"The racist statements by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla against Kylian Mbappé are totally repugnant and unacceptable. How can a speech like that be made? These statements are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as anywhere else. The FFF is proceeding with a complaint to the Ministry Public for the purposes of judicial prosecution", said the entity in a note.
Read also:
President of FIFA says he "unequivocally condemns racist comments" about Mbappé
Government of Paraguay repudiates racist speech by senator against Mbappé and distances itself from the statements
France's technical committee treats racist attack against Mbappé as "shameful and scandalous"
On Monday (6), Mbappé responded directly to the senator. The captain stated that Celeste Amarilla was "a despicable woman and unworthy of the position" she holds and said that she did not represent Paraguay which, according to him, demonstrated "passion and honor" during the World Cup.
The attacker also stated that the parliamentarian's behavior had overshadowed the historic campaign of the Paraguayan team and declared that he would not allow people to spread "hatred and racism" without reaction. The demonstration received support from French authorities and several athletes on social media.

Source: G1