France advanced to the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals with a win over Paraguay in the round of 16. Star forward Kylian Mbappé scored the match’s only goal. But after the match, attention shifted from the pitch to a racist remark by a Paraguayan senator and Mbappé’s sharp response.
Following Paraguay’s elimination against France, Senator Celeste Amarilla made a series of racist and derogatory remarks about Mbappé on social media platform X.
She described Mbappé as someone “of Cameroonian origin desperately trying to pass himself off as French,” called him “barbaric,” and claimed Paraguay’s players should have slapped him.
Mbappé responded sharply on social media, condemning the senator’s remarks.
“Madam Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay. In a World Cup where this country has shown emotion, respect and fighting spirit, you have tarnished its image,” he wrote.
Mbappé added that her irresponsibility and blatant racism had shifted the world’s attention away from the historic achievements of Paraguay’s players, replacing it with discussion of an unworthy politician who has presented the worst image of her own country.
He concluded firmly: “I will never accept people like you spreading hatred and racism.”
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the French Football Federation (FFF) is preparing to file a criminal complaint against Senator Celeste Amarilla.
In a statement, the FFF said such remarks are despicable, unacceptable and punishable by law. “France’s players represent their country. Comments like this against them amount to an insult to the whole of France,” it said, adding that the matter will be referred to the public prosecutor’s office for legal action.
France will face Morocco in the World Cup quarter-finals on July 10.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report