Senator Responds to Mbappé's Racism Accusations, Threatens Lawsuit

Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla has publicly addressed accusations of racism leveled against her for comments made about French footballer Kylian Mbappé. Following Mbappé's condemnation of her remarks, which he deemed unacceptable for a public official, Amarilla issued an open letter.

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The problem is between you and me. I have never spoken against France. On the contrary, I stand with France.

In her letter, published in French and Spanish, Amarilla asserted that her criticism was not aimed at France but exclusively at Mbappé. She admitted the posts were made in the heat of the moment after the match and were later removed because they did not reflect her values. "I immediately regretted responding with the same insults I condemn," she wrote, acknowledging she had repeated behavior she dislikes.

Despite her explanation, Amarilla challenged Mbappé's assertion that she was unfit for public office. "I am a senator elected by the Paraguayan people. Who are you to call me unworthy or disgusting when you don't even know me?" she questioned. She is now demanding a public apology from Mbappé and has threatened legal action, alleging his statements constituted gender-based violence.

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I immediately regretted responding with the same insults I condemn. I realized I was repeating behavior I dislike, so I deleted the post.

Meanwhile, the French Football Federation has announced it will file a complaint regarding Amarilla's comments. French judicial institutions have initiated an investigation into potential public insult and incitement to hatred, offenses that carry penalties of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 45,000 euros in France. The Paraguayan government has officially distanced itself from the senator's statements, emphasizing they do not align with the nation's values of respecting human dignity.

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I am a senator elected by the Paraguayan people. Who are you to call me unworthy or disgusting when you don't even know me?