ไทย
English
中國人
The Paraguayan senator who directed racist abuse at Kylian Mbappé on social media has now issued a peculiar open letter demanding an apology from the French star.
France defeated Paraguay 1–0 in Philadelphia in the World Cup round of 16, with tensions running high throughout a fiercely contested and, at times, heated match.
Mbappé celebrated exuberantly at the final whistle and told reporters after the game: "We knew what kind of match we were going to have. We can also get our hands dirty, we know how to do it. We know how to play ugly football. Guess they were thinking we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready."
Following the match, Senator Celeste Amarilla took to Instagram to label Mbappé as "dumb", "ugly" and "arrogant", while deploying overtly racist language against the forward in a post she later deleted.
Mbappé swiftly responded to the hate speech with a pointed message on social media, branding Amarilla as "a despicable woman and unworthy of your position".
Meanwhile, Paraguay's government issued a statement "deploring and rejecting" Amarilla's remarks, reaffirming "its commitment to fight against racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and any manifestation of hate or discrimination."
WIN FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ FINAL TICKETS & OTHER PRIZES
Amarilla Doubles Down With Open Letter
Amarilla has now published a new statement in response to the widespread criticism.
However, while the open letter characterizes her racist outburst as having been written in the "heat of the moment," she stopped short of offering an explicit apology to Mbappé and instead used the opportunity to portray herself as a victim, claiming that Mbappé wounded her and her nation with his "contempt, arrogance, and poor manners."
Amarilla's statement reads, in part: "The problem is between you and me. I have never said anything against France. On the contrary, I stand with France. I studied at a French school from the age of two until I was 17, where I completed my education.
"The problem is with you. Your arrogance and contempt angered me long before the match, when you said, 'If we have to put our hands in the dirt, then let's do it.' We are not stupid. We understood perfectly that by 'the dirt,' you meant the Paraguayan team, and the Paraguayan team represents all of us. Then you said you were going to remove our makeup. We understood that too. All of Paraguay remained silent, myself included. We endured it. During the match, your arrogance was obvious. Your contempt for every Paraguayan player was clear, as if they were beneath you.
"My posts were written in the heat of the moment, with my blood boiling, the blood of a mixed heritage, a beautiful blend of Indigenous and Spanish ancestry that runs through my veins. I wrote them while watching you mock those extraordinary Paraguayan players who fought as equals until the final whistle. However, I immediately regretted responding to you with the same insults that I myself receive. I realised I was repeating the very behaviour I despise, so I deleted the post. I understand that my words offended you because humiliation hurts.
"Now I demand that you also retract your statements and apologize to me. I will not tolerate your violence either. You do not know me. You have no idea who I am, and you have no right to say that I AM A DESPICABLE WOMAN, UNWORTHY OF THE OFFICE I HOLD.
"I am a Senator of the Paraguayan Nation, elected by the people. Before that, I was a National Deputy, also elected by the people. Thousands of Paraguayan men and women voted for me and consider me their voice. My foremost duty is to speak for the Paraguayan people, to say what they cannot say, and to defend my country with my life if necessary."
Amarilla concluded by characterizing Mbappé's statement as "political violence against a woman" and called for a retraction "otherwise, I may pursue legal action for gender-based violence."
France Threaten Own Legal Action
France's football federation has also released a statement outlining its intention to pursue legal action.
"The racist remarks made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla targeting Kylian Mbappé are utterly abhorrent and unacceptable," the statement read. "How can anyone make such comments? These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted, here and elsewhere.
Enable functional cookies to see this feature.
"The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor's office with a view to legal proceedings. The Federation offers its full support to its captain, its players and, more broadly, to all victims of such abhorrent remarks. Now more than ever, the FFF is committed to combating racism and all forms of discrimination."
Having eliminated Paraguay, France and Mbappé will next take on Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinal on July 9.