French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari expressed her "deep indignation" at "odious and racist" remarks made by a member of the Paraguayan Senate targeting striker Kylian Mbappé, following her country's team's elimination in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
Senator Celeste Amarilla wrote on X: "This idiot never even learned to write, and the most cultured people he has ever heard of are chimpanzees." In a separate post, also on X, she wrote: "A Cameroonian, a product of colonisation, desperately trying to pass himself off as French — resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly. He was nervous and terrified throughout the match, just like his entire team. They couldn't even score a single goal. They won thanks to a lucky shot."
Sports Minister Ferrari commented: "I am deeply angered by the remarks of Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla. France condemns in the strongest possible terms the racist insults targeting Kylian Mbappé." She added: "These statements are odious and shameful, and all the more unacceptable coming from a political official. We will not remain silent in the face of racism. By attacking Kylian Mbappé, the senator attacks everything our captain stands for and everything our country symbolises: liberty, equality, and fraternity. Full support for our captain, our coach, and the entire French national team."
Mbappé had led France to victory over Paraguay in an intense and physical match, scoring the game's only goal from the penalty spot, securing Les Bleus' qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. The leniency shown by Uzbek referee Iljiz Tantashev towards numerous acts of unsporting behaviour by the South American players was also at the centre of discussion.