Paraguay government deplores senator's remarks on Mbappé, reaffirms respect for France

Paraguay's government has officially distanced itself from controversial remarks made by opposition Senator Celeste Amarilla regarding French football star Kylian Mbappé. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday, July 6, condemning Amarilla's comments, which followed Paraguay's 1-0 loss to France in the World Cup.

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The manifestations of the referred legislator correspond exclusively to the exercise of her individual responsibility as a member of the Legislative Power and in no way represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people.

The government stated that Amarilla's expressions are contrary to Paraguay's core values of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity. The statement emphasized that her views are solely her individual responsibility as a member of the legislative branch and do not reflect the position of the Paraguayan government or its people.

Paraguay reaffirmed its commitment to promoting human rights, equality, and respect among individuals, actively opposing racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and all forms of hate or discrimination. The Executive branch expressed solidarity with anyone affected by the senator's declarations and reiterated its respect for the French people, with whom Paraguay maintains a "historical relationship of friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding."

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The football is a fraternity. It must unite peoples and people. In its territory of passions and emotions, there is no room for any type of discrimination. #Paraguay respects!

Earlier, Vice President Pedro Alliana and several congress members had also rejected the senator's remarks, labeling them as racist and highlighting the strong friendship between Paraguay and France. Alliana posted on X, formerly Twitter, that "football is an expression of fraternity. It must unite peoples and people. In its territory of passions and emotions, there is no room for any type of discrimination. #Paraguay respects!"

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You are a despicable and unworthy woman of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country that has exuded passion and honor throughout the entire competition.

Senator Amarilla had criticized Mbappé on X after cameras captured him not shaking hands with Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill during the match celebration. Mbappé responded directly to the senator, calling her "a despicable and unworthy woman" and stating she does not represent Paraguay. He added that her "inconsciousness and unashamed racism" overshadowed the Paraguayan team's historic achievement in the World Cup.

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For your unconsciousness and your unashamed racism, the whole world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players achieved during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent lady who offers the worst possible image of her country. I will never allow people like her to have the freedom to spread their hatred and racism throughout the world.