France star on Monday condemned a Paraguayan senator over racist remarks she made following Paraguay鈥檚 loss to France in the round of 16 at the
Mbapp茅 called Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay鈥檚 Liberal Radical Party, a 鈥渄espicable woman鈥� who was 鈥渦nworthy鈥� of serving in Paraguay’s Congress.
鈥淭hrough 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,鈥� Mbapp茅 wrote on X.
Amarilla posted a series of racist comments on X after Mbapp茅 converted the winning penalty in over Paraguay on Saturday, mocking the French captain鈥檚 origins, upbringing, education and appearance. France advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will face Morocco on Thursday.
The Paraguayan government released a statement Monday afternoon condemning Amarilla鈥檚 remarks as 鈥渃ontrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes.鈥� It added that the senator鈥檚 comments do not represent either the Paraguayan government or the Paraguayan people.
The French Football Federation on Monday denounced Amarilla鈥檚 comments as 鈥渦tterly abhorrent鈥� and 鈥渦nacceptable,鈥� adding that it would refer the matter to prosecutors.
Marina Ferrari, France鈥檚 sports minister, said she was 鈥渙utraged鈥� by Amarilla鈥檚 remarks and voiced her support for the national team鈥檚 captain.
鈥淏y targeting Kylian Mbapp茅, the senator is attacking everything our captain embodies and everything our country stands for: liberty, equality and fraternity,鈥� Ferrari wrote on X.
France’s assistant coach Guy St茅phan also condemned the remarks on Monday.
鈥淚n three words, it鈥檚 indignant, abject, scandalous,鈥� he said.
The Associated Press sent a request for comment to Amarilla on Monday through her social media accounts.
Before Saturday鈥檚 match, former Paraguay goalkeeper Jos茅 Luis Chilavert referred to France as 鈥渁 squad from Africa.鈥� Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, said Chilavert 鈥渨as once a great goalkeeper鈥� who had now 鈥渇allen into disgrace.鈥�
___
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
