What began as a controversy after France-Paraguay for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup ended up becoming a conflict that already involves the French justice system, the Paraguayan Government and international organizations.
The messages published by the Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla against Kylian Mbappé transcended the sports field and gave way to an investigation in France, an official statement from the Paraguayan Government and new statements from the legislator, who acknowledged that her comments had racist content, although she insisted on justifying them in the context of the match.
The case began after France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay, decided with a penalty converted by Mbappé.
After the match, Amarilla published messages on X in which he attacked the French captain with racist expressions, arguing that the forward had behaved arrogantly during the match.
The publications provoked a direct response from the footballer.
“You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay,” wrote Mbappé, who also recognized the Paraguayan team’s journey during the World Cup.
France takes the case to court
The French Football Federation described the messages as “racist”, “abject” and “unacceptable” and announced that it had filed a complaint with the French Prosecutor’s Office.
Based on that complaint, French justice opened an investigation to determine the scope of the publications and their possible legal implications.
The case also received the support of French President Emmanuel Macron, who publicly expressed his support for the team captain.
Paraguay takes distance again
Meanwhile, the Paraguayan Government reiterated that Amarilla’s statements correspond exclusively to a personal position and do not represent the State or the Paraguayan people.
In a statement released by the Foreign Ministry, the Executive reaffirmed its rejection of racism and ratified the friendly relationship between Paraguay and France.
The official position joins the pronouncement of international organizations that also condemned the expressions against the French striker.
Yellow maintains its position
Far from offering a public apology, the senator assured that she wrote the messages “like a brava” and in the midst of frustration over the Paraguayan elimination.
Although he acknowledged that his words were racist or discriminatory, he maintained that he belongs to “another generation” and affirmed that he continues in a process of “deconstruction.”
In addition, he claimed that Mbappé should also recant for having described her as “despicable” and “unworthy”, and even stated that he is analyzing the possibility of taking legal action against the French footballer.
A story that continues off the field
What began as an exchange of statements after one of the most intense matches of the round of 16 became one of the extra-sports episodes with the greatest impact of the 2026 World Cup.
While France prepares its quarterfinal match, the controversy between Mbappé and the Paraguayan senator remains open and adds new chapters in the judicial, diplomatic and institutional spheres, prolonging a story that began with the final whistle of France-Paraguay and that, for now, continues to play its own extension off the field of play.