The contentious clash between French football star Kylian Mbappé and Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla has taken another dramatic turn. Amarilla has called for a public apology from the Real Madrid forward and threatened legal action, branding Mbappé’s comments as “gender-based violence”.
This dispute emerged in the wake of France’s narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, a match decided by Mbappé’s decisive penalty that secured Les Bleus a place in the quarter-finals.
While Amarilla has reportedly retracted certain comments deemed racist against Mbappé, she continues to demand that the player also retract his remarks in which he labeled her a “despicable woman who doesn’t deserve to be in office”. This ongoing exchange has added a significant layer of drama to the World Cup, highlighting one of the tournament’s most notable off-field controversies.
The Origins of the Feud
The conflict first ignited after France’s victory over Paraguay, which was marked by Mbappé’s penalty kick. Following the match, Amarilla took to social media to launch a series of attacks against the French captain, labeling him “stupid”, questioning his achievements, criticizing his upbringing, and alleging he snubbed Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gil’s handshake. She even suggested that Gil should have “given Mbappé the middle finger,” inciting widespread outrage both in France and internationally.
Mbappé’s Strong Response
In a robust rebuttal, Mbappé accused Amarilla of racism, asserting that her comments did not represent the values of Paraguay. He declared that she was “unfit” for public office and argued that her statements overshadowed the players’ efforts in the World Cup. His message emphasized that he would not tolerate the spread of hatred and racism: “The world has already forgotten the journey and historic effort made by the players at this World Cup,” he stated.
Amarilla’s Mixed Apology
Despite acknowledging the racial nature of her remarks and expressing regret for her outburst, Amarilla has insisted that Mbappé lend her an apology as well. In an open letter, she conveyed that her posts were made in the heat of the moment and mirrored the very hatred she herself has faced: “I too have been despised for being dark-skinned… I deleted the post after realizing that I was repeating the behavior I despise,” she explained. However, she continues to demand a retraction from Mbappé, claiming that his comments constitute gender-based violence.
Growing Tensions and Legal Implications
The fallout from this dispute has drawn the attention of French authorities. The Paris public prosecutor’s office has confirmed that France’s national anti-online hate unit has initiated an investigation following a complaint from the French Football Federation (FFF). They are looking into charges of aggravated public insult and incitement to hatred based on Amarilla’s remarks. The FFF described her comments as “totally abhorrent and unacceptable” and indicated plans to pursue criminal proceedings.
Official Disavowal from Paraguay
The Paraguayan government has distanced itself from Amarilla’s remarks, clarifying that her views do not reflect the nation’s official stance. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned her comments as contrary to the values of peaceful coexistence and human dignity that Paraguay promotes. They reaffirmed a commitment to fighting racism and expressed solidarity with those affected by her statements.
French Support Shifts Amidst Controversy
In a show of support for Mbappé, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly defended him on social media, stating that they would stand against racism together. This comes after further unrest leading up to the match, where former Paraguayan goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert’s comments about facing “a team from Africa” were met with strong condemnation.
France’s World Cup Aspirations Persist
Despite the surrounding controversy, France remains focused on their quest for more World Cup titles. With Mbappé shining in the tournament, having scored seven goals thus far, Les Bleus are looking ahead to their upcoming quarter-final match against Morocco, aiming to take another step closer to the finals.
