The Paraguay senate on 8/7 debated for 5 hours before passing a resolution to condemn senator Celeste Amarilla for her "racist and discriminatory" statements targeting French football star Kylian Mbappe. The majority vote underscored that Amarilla's remarks do not represent the official position of the senate.

The controversy stems from a lengthy X post on 5/7, where Amarilla, a member of the opposition Liberal party, called Mbappe a "colonized Cameroonian pretending to be French." She further described the player as "rude," "illiterate," and suggested that Paraguayan players "should have slapped Mbappe after the match."

These comments followed a tense match on 4/7 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the French national team defeated Paraguay 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals, with Mbappe scoring the only goal.

Amarilla's statements immediately sparked outrage in France, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to condemn the "racist statements" against Mbappe. The Paraguay government also criticized Amarilla, asserting that her comments do not reflect the views of the government or its citizens. Mbappe himself responded on X, writing, "Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable person and unworthy of the position you hold."

Paraguay senator Celeste Amarilla in Asuncion, Paraguay, on 8/7. Photo: Reuters

During the senate debate, Senator Amarilla, who was present, claimed to still have support from some colleagues. Paraguay senator Lider Amarilla suggested that Amarilla's comments about Mbappe were a "natural indignant reaction" after "feeling offended by the player's actions." However, Senate leader Basilio Nunez strongly criticized her remarks, advising her to "remain silent." "To me, senator Amarilla's posts were terrible and do not reflect the thoughts of the majority of Paraguayans. We must show racism a red card," Nunez stated.

Ngoc Anh (According to AP, AFP)