Mbappé and FFF respond to racist attacks by Paraguayan senator | OneFootball

The French team secured its place in the World Cup quarterfinals by defeating Paraguay 1-0, with a penalty goal scored by Kylian Mbappé.

However, the celebratory mood was overshadowed by racist remarks made by Paraguayan senator Céleste Amarilla.

"This brute never even learned how to write. Instead of mother’s milk, he suckled coconuts, and the most educated beings he has ever heard were chimpanzees."

The lawmaker went even further, saying that the Paraguayan national team players (known as La Albirroja) should have assaulted the Frenchman at the end of the match:

"The only thing many of us regret about La Albirroja is that they didn’t give him a full slap across the face at the end of the game. And I’m not even a football fan."

These extremely violent statements shocked the public, adding to recent controversial comments by former goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert about the French national team.

Kylian Mbappé’s response

Using his social media (X), Mbappé chose not to remain silent in the face of the insults and posted a direct response to the senator, praising the Paraguayan people while condemning the politician’s attitude:

"Mrs. Celeste Amarilla. You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your office. You do not represent Paraguay, a country that breathed passion and honor throughout the competition. Because of your irresponsibility and blatant racism, the whole world has already forgotten the campaign and historic effort your players made during this World Cup, replaced instead by an incompetent woman projecting the worst possible image of her country. I will never give people like you the freedom to spread your hatred and racism around the world."

FFF expresses support and takes legal action

The player’s response was immediately followed by a strong statement from the French Football Federation (FFF).

The organization directly targeted the senator, calling her remarks criminal and announcing that it will take the case to the proper authorities:

"The racist comments made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla toward Kylian Mbappé are utterly vile and unacceptable. How can anyone utter such words? These statements are criminal and condemnable. They must be prosecuted here and everywhere. The FFF is filing a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the purpose of judicial proceedings.

The Federation expresses its full support for its captain, its players and, more broadly, all victims of such hateful statements. More than ever, the FFF intends to fight racism and all forms of discrimination. These remarks dishonor those who make them and those who spread them. The players of the French National Team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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