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International Press Reacts to Senator Celeste vs. Mbappé Controversy
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Elections & Politics

International Press Reacts to Senator Celeste vs. Mbappé Controversy

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • International media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN, and BBC, have reported on the controversy surrounding Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla's racist remarks against French footballer Kylian Mbappé.
  • Mbappé responded by calling Amarilla "despicable," and the French Football Federation announced legal action against the senator.
  • Amarilla initially made the offensive comments after a World Cup match and later expressed regret for the insults but not for her criticism of Mbappé's on-field attitude.

International media have widely covered the controversy sparked by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla's racist tirade against French football star Kylian Mbappé. Major news organizations, including The New York Times' sports blog The Athletic, CNN en Español, and BBC Mundo, have highlighted the incident and the subsequent reactions.

despicable woman

— Kylian MbappéMbappé's direct response on social media to Senator Amarilla's racist remarks.

The dispute began when Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay's opposition Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico, posted offensive messages on social media following a World Cup match. She described Mbappé as a "colonized Cameroonian, pretending to be French, resentful, nouveau riche, arrogant, and ugly," adding further derogatory remarks about his upbringing and intelligence.

unworthy of her position

— Kylian MbappéMbappé's condemnation of Senator Amarilla's conduct and suitability for public office.

Mbappé swiftly condemned the senator's comments on social media, labeling her a "despicable woman" who is "unworthy of her position." The French Football Federation has stated its intention to pursue legal action against Amarilla. The Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement repudiating the senator's expressions.

colonized Cameroonian, pretending to be French, resentful, nouveau riche, arrogant, and ugly

— Celeste AmarillaSenator Amarilla's racist insults directed at Kylian Mbappé on social media.

While Amarilla later admitted to regretting the racist insults, she maintained her criticism of Mbappé's behavior during the match. The senator's comments have drawn widespread condemnation, underscoring the ongoing global struggle against racism in sports and public discourse.

in lieu of breast milk, he sucked coconuts and the most educated thing he heard were chimpanzees

— Celeste AmarillaFurther derogatory and racist remarks made by Senator Amarilla about Mbappé's background.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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