Senator demands apology from Mbappé as World Cup row deepens

The public dispute between Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla and French captain Kylian Mbappé has intensified, with the lawmaker demanding a public apology following France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a lengthy statement released on Tuesday, Amarilla insisted that her criticism was directed exclusively at Mbappé and not at France, stressing her long-standing ties to the European country.

According to her, she attended a French school from the age of two until 17, speaks French fluently, and has maintained close links with France through regular visits over the years.

“The problem is between you and me. I have never said anything against France. On the contrary, I stand with France,” she said.

Amarilla accused the France captain of displaying disrespect toward Paraguay before, during, and after the knockout encounter.

She alleged that Mbappé made insulting remarks about the Paraguayan team before the match, used offensive language on the pitch, refused to shake hands with Paraguay’s goalkeeper after the final whistle, and celebrated the victory in front of him.

While defending her position, the senator acknowledged that some of her initial social media posts were written “in the heat of the moment.”

She admitted regretting the insults she used and said she later deleted the posts after realizing they had caused humiliation.

The senator also demanded that Mbappé retract comments in which he allegedly described her as a “despicable woman” and “unworthy” of holding public office.

She argued that the statements amounted to gender-based and political violence against an elected representative.

“I am a Senator of the Paraguayan Nation, elected by the people,” she said, adding that Mbappé had no right to question either her dignity or the office she holds. She warned that she could pursue legal action if he fails to issue an apology.

The dispute began after Paraguay’s elimination from the World Cup, when Amarilla made social media comments about Mbappé that attracted widespread criticism for being racist, including remarks referencing the footballer’s Cameroonian heritage and questioning his French identity.

Mbappé condemned the comments as racist, saying they did not reflect Paraguay’s performance or spirit during the tournament.

The controversy has since attracted international attention, with football authorities and government officials distancing themselves from Amarilla’s original remarks.

France has since progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they are scheduled to face Morocco