Investigation Launched Over Racist Abuse of Kylian Mbappé
French prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the racist abuse directed at Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla. Authorities are considering whether to charge Amarilla with aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed to on Tuesday that the inquiry began following a complaint filed by the French Football Federation (FFF) with the national unit dedicated to combating online hate.
Details of the Abuse and Context
After the World Cup match on Saturday, Celeste Amarilla, a senator affiliated with Paraguay’s Liberal Radical party, posted a series of racially abusive comments targeting Mbappé on social media.
These remarks, described by the FFF as "brazen racism," mocked the France captain, whose penalty secured France’s advancement to the quarter-finals.
Amarilla referred to Mbappé as a
“colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French”and a
“brute who had not learned to write.”She further stated that Paraguay’s players should have slapped him after the match.
Mbappé’s Response
Kylian Mbappé responded promptly on social media, addressing Amarilla directly:
“Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.”
He added that her tirade distracted from Paraguay’s significant achievement at the tournament:
“Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.”
Legal Considerations and Official Statements
On Tuesday, the Paris prosecutor’s office stated that the remarks were allegedly made due to the victim’s actual or perceived origin, ethnicity, nationality, race, or religion. The offences carry penalties of up to one year imprisonment and a €45,000 ($51,000) fine.
Amarilla’s Open Letter and Further Controversy
As the racist abuse gained international attention, Amarilla published an open letter in French and Spanish addressed to Mbappé on social media. In the letter, she attributed her remarks to anger over Mbappé’s conduct during the match and his comments about France’s performance against Paraguay.
She expressed regret for using insults similar to those she had experienced as a mixed-race individual and stated that she had deleted her original post.
However, Amarilla devoted nearly half of the letter to criticizing Mbappé’s response. She demanded an apology from the player, accused him of gender-based violence in his manner of addressing her, and threatened legal action if he did not retract his comments. She questioned:
“Who are you to call me indignant or despicable when you don’t even know me?”
Paraguayan Government’s Position
The government of Paraguay distanced itself from Amarilla’s remarks, describing them as
“contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes.”It emphasized that the senator’s comments
“in no way”represented the official stance of the Paraguayan government or its people.
Support for Mbappé and Condemnation of Abuse
French President Emmanuel Macron was among those expressing support for Mbappé, stating on social media:
“Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. Against racism this time. All my support. When words smear, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity.”
Macron’s office also noted that the President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, had written to Macron to express support and condemn the racist remarks.
France’s assistant coach, Guy Stephan, told reporters he had not yet spoken with Mbappé about the abuse but strongly condemned Amarilla’s attack:
“In three words: it’s disgraceful, vile, outrageous.”
