2026 World Cup: FIFA, France rally behind Mbappé after Paraguayan senator’s racist slur

World football's governing body, FIFA, and French President Emmanuel Macron have publicly condemned racist remarks made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla targeting French star Kylian Mbappé. The senator's comments followed France's victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. Against racism this time. All my support. When words defile, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity.

President Macron took to his X account to denounce Amarilla's "racist attacks" on the France captain, reaffirming the nation's unwavering support. "Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. Against racism this time. All my support," Macron wrote, emphasizing values of dignity, respect, and fraternity.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino echoed the condemnation, stating that football must stand united against racism. "All of football and society stand in solidarity with the France captain, we need to fight racism and defeat it all together," Infantino posted on Instagram.

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All of football and society stand in solidarity with the France captain, we need to fight racism and defeat it all together.

The controversy erupted after Mbappé scored the decisive penalty that eliminated Paraguay. Following the match, a brief altercation occurred when Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill attempted to shake Mbappé's hand, but Mbappé did not respond, leading Gill to throw the ball at him. Amarilla reacted to a video of this incident by describing Mbappé as a "colonised Cameroonian who has really pretended to be French," adding derogatory remarks about his education and intelligence, comparing him to chimpanzees.

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I tried to shake his hand, but since he didn’t pay me any attention, I lost my temper.

Mbappé himself responded directly to Amarilla's comments on his X account, labeling her a "despicable woman" and unworthy of her position. He accused her of racism and stated that her recklessness had overshadowed the historic effort of the Paraguayan players. Amarilla also made further insults, calling Mbappé "resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly."

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The brute didn’t even learn to write; instead of mother’s milk, he sucked on coconuts, and the most educated thing he heard were chimpanzees.