Mbappé Case: Sergio Rojas Defends Celeste Amarilla

Senator Sergio Rojas has publicly defended fellow liberal senator Celeste Amarilla, asserting that her recent comments about football star Kylian Mbappé were not racist. Rojas criticized the Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its rapid response in distancing the government from Amarilla's statements, arguing that her remarks were a personal opinion rather than a matter of state policy.

Rojas contended that Amarilla's reference to Mbappé's Cameroonian origin was not offensive or discriminatory. He stated, “I don’t see that Celeste really said anything wrong. Calling him of Cameroonian origin, I don’t see that as an offense.” He further argued that the controversy should be viewed as a personal matter, not a foreign policy issue, questioning the ministry's "hasty" reaction.

The senator also suggested that Mbappé's conduct during a World Cup match against Paraguay contributed to Amarilla's reaction. Rojas described the footballer's behavior as "sarcastic" and "arrogant" towards Paraguayan players, including goalkeeper Orlando Gill, which he claims led to widespread disapproval among Paraguayan fans. He posited that Amarilla's social media post was a reflection of this general sentiment.

Adding another layer to his defense, Rojas expressed suspicion about the intense international attention the case has received. He questioned why a comment originating from Paraguay would generate such a significant global reaction, hinting at possible ideological or other interests beyond the sporting discussion that might be fueling the controversy.