The controversy surrounding France captain Kylian Mbappé and Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla has escalated, with French prosecutors opening an investigation into alleged racist remarks made against the football star following France’s World Cup victory over Paraguay.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation was launched after the French Football Federation filed a complaint over comments Amarilla made online. Authorities are examining allegations of aggravated public insult and incitement to hatred or violence.
The dispute began after Mbappé scored the decisive penalty in France’s 1-0 round-of-16 victory over Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the match, Amarilla posted comments on social media targeting the French captain’s background, upbringing and identity.
Mbappé responded by accusing the senator of racism and criticizing her position as a public official. The French Football Federation condemned Amarilla’s comments as “abhorrent” and “unacceptable,” while French President Emmanuel Macron and Sports Minister Marina Ferrari expressed support for Mbappé. The United Nations Human Rights Office also condemned the remarks, describing them as “despicable” and warning that public officials have a responsibility to stand against racism and discrimination.
Amarilla has since deleted her original comments and issued an open letter to Mbappé, saying she regretted using insults that she herself has experienced as a mixed-race person. However, she maintained that her criticism was directed at Mbappé personally and not against France.
The senator also demanded that Mbappé withdraw his comments about her and apologize, accusing him of gender-based violence and threatening possible legal action if he does not retract his statement.
Mbappé has not publicly responded to Amarilla’s latest demands.
The controversy has drawn further attention to issues of racism and discrimination in football, with FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel expressing solidarity with Mbappé and stating that racism has no place in sport or society. France has advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Morocco, while the fallout from the match against Paraguay continues off the field.
