French Football Federation to prosecute senator over Mbappe racist remarks

The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced it will pursue legal action against Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla for racist remarks made about French captain Kylian Mbappe. The federation described the comments, shared on social media after Paraguay's loss to France on July 4, as "utterly abhorrent and unacceptable."

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These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere. The FFF is filing a report with the prosecutor’s office for the purpose of judicial action.

"How can anyone make such statements? These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere," the FFF stated. The federation confirmed it is filing a report with the prosecutor's office to initiate judicial action. They also extended "full support to its captain, its players, and more generally to all victims of such odious remarks," emphasizing the FFF's commitment to fighting racism and all forms of discrimination.

Marina Ferrari, France's Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life, expressed outrage, calling the remarks "abhorrent, unworthy, and all the more unacceptable given that they come from a political figure." She stated, "In the face of racism, we will not remain silent. By targeting Kylian Mbappé, the senator is attacking everything our captain embodies and everything our country stands for: liberty, equality, and fraternity."

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These remarks are abhorrent, unworthy, and all the more unacceptable given that they come from a political figure. In the face of racism, we will not remain silent.

Paraguayan Congresswoman Johanna Ortega voiced her disappointment in her colleague, stating, "Passion can never justify racism or hate speech." She added, "Racism has no place in sports or in politics… my solidarity and my apologies to the French people." Mbappe himself condemned the comments, chastising the senator for dishonoring Paraguay's World Cup journey.

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Passion can never justify racism or hate speech. Paraguay maintains a relationship of respect and cooperation with France that is not reflected in these statements.