FIFA, France Condemn Racist Abuse of Mbappé After Paraguayan Senator’s Remarks
France captain Kylian Mbappé has received widespread support from FIFA, the French government, and the French Football Federation after he was subjected to racist remarks by a Paraguayan senator following France’s victory over Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The controversy erupted after France’s Round of 16 triumph over Paraguay, when Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla made offensive comments about Mbappé on social media. The French forward swiftly condemned the remarks, describing them as blatant racism and insisting that discrimination has no place in football or society.
FIFA strongly denounced the comments, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy against racism and discrimination. The world football governing body stressed that respect, equality, and inclusion remain fundamental values of the game and vowed to continue its fight against all forms of abuse.
French President Emmanuel Macron also backed Mbappé, condemning the racist remarks and expressing solidarity with the national team captain. The French Football Federation described the comments as unacceptable and called for greater efforts to combat racism in football.
The Paraguayan government distanced itself from the senator’s comments, emphasizing its commitment to human dignity and respect. Meanwhile, Amarilla later issued a public statement expressing partial regret but maintained that her criticism was directed at Mbappé personally rather than France, while also demanding an apology from the player.
The incident has reignited global conversations about racism in football, with players, football authorities, and anti-discrimination advocates calling for stronger measures to protect athletes from racial abuse both on and off the pitch.
