UN human rights office backs Kylian Mbappé after racist insults from Paraguayan senator | OneFootball

The UN human rights office said in a Tuesday statement, via spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan, that it supports Kylian Mbappé, condemns Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla’s racist and dehumanising remarks as abhorrent, views reported 2026 World Cup racist incidents as part of a wider problem, and calls for stronger action in sport.

The row followed France’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in the last 16. In the aftermath, Celeste Amarilla posted several racist messages on X aimed directly at Mbappé, and the France captain responded soon after.

Amarilla is an opposition senator and her posts came amid anger over Paraguay’s elimination.

The UN intervention adds to condemnations already issued by the French Football Federation, Emmanuel Macron, the Paraguayan government and Gianni Infantino.

The statement set out, in uncompromising terms, that public figures carry heightened responsibility to counter racism, discrimination and hate speech in their public interventions, and pressed states and sporting organisations to act more firmly.

Source: L'Équipe