Asuncion (Paraguay) (AFP) – Paraguay's government on Monday condemned remarks made by a senator who racially abused France star Kylian Mbappe after Paraguay was eliminated from the World Cup over the weekend.
Issued on: 07/07/2026 - 00:44
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Paraguay's government has condemned the racist remarks made by senator Celeste Amarilla about France forward Kylian Mbappe following Paraguay’s 1-0 defeat in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 © DANIEL DUARTE / AFP/File
"The remarks made by Senator Celeste Amarilla, directed at the captain of the French national team, Kylian Mbappe, are contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, which our country promotes," the foreign ministry said in a statement."They in no way represent the position of the government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people," the ministry added.Amarilla, a member of the leading opposition Liberal Party, called Mbappe a "colonised Cameroonian who has really pretended to be French, embittered, nouveau riche, arrogant and ugly," and accused him of being "scared to death" during the game.The remarks, which followed Les Bleus 1-0 defeat of Paraguay in a bad-tempered game in Philadelphia on Saturday, sparked uproar in France.
