A diplomatic row between France and Paraguay intensified after French President Emmanuel Macron weighed in on a dispute sparked by racist remarks from Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla directed at France captain Kylian Mbappé.
Following France’s narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay on July 4, the attention shifted almost immediately after the final whistle when captain Kylian Mbappé refused a handshake from Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Following the event, Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla launched a series of posts on X targeting Mbappé personally used openly racist language, referring to the French captain’s African heritage.
“The idiot never even learned to write. Instead of drinking his mother’s milk, he sucked coconuts, and the most sophisticated sounds he ever heard came from chimpanzees. You should have given him the finger, Orlando Gill,” she said.
France start player Kylian Mbappé responded calling Amarilla “a despicable woman, unworthy of her office.” He accused the senator of allowing racism to overshadow what Paraguay historic tournament.
“You do not represent Paraguay,” Mbappé wrote, arguing that the country’s players had earned respect through their performances while the senator’s comments had projected “the worst possible image” of the country.
He added that he would never allow “people like her” to spread hatred and racism without challenge.
The French Football Federation quickly rally behind its captain, describing Amarilla’s remarks as “abject” and “unacceptable.”
The federation also announced that it had referred the case to French prosecutors, arguing that racist insults directed at the captain of the national team could constitute criminal offences.
“The players of the French national team represent France,” the federation said. “It is our country that has been insulted,” they insisted.
While Paraguay’s government sought to distance itself from the senator by insisting that her personal views “are not thoses of the Paraguayan state or its people”, she doubled down and attempted to reframe the controversy.
In a open letter, she insisted that she held no hostility towards France, describing her education at a French school, her admiration for French culture and her regular visits to the country. She argued that her discontent was solely with Mbappé.
She accused him of insulting Paraguayan players on the pitch and described his refusal to shake Gill’s hand as an act of contempt.
She also demanded that Mbappé apologise for describing her as “despicable” and “unworthy,” arguing that his criticism amounted to “gender-based political violence against an elected female official”. She warned that she could consider legal action if no apology was forthcoming.
French politicians have publicly condemned the senator’s remarks, and President Emmanuel Macron has also weighed in support of MBappé.
“Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. Against racism this time. All my support. When words defile, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity,” he said.
France will play Morroco in the FIFA world cup quater-finals on July 9.
A phone call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino has triggered a major controversy at the 2026 World Cup, after FIFA reversed its decision to suspend American striker Folarin Balogun for a red card. https://t.co/sRPwfpQ4B9
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) July 6, 2026
