French justice opened an investigation against Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla for alleged discriminatory comments directed at Kylian Mbappé. The case arose after Paraguay’s defeat against France in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Comments after the decisive penalty
Amarilla, from the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, published messages on social networks after Mbappé converted the penalty that sealed the French victory. The Paris Prosecutor’s Office indicated on Tuesday that it began investigations for aggravated public insult and incitement to hatred or violence.
The complaint was filed by the French Football Federation (FFF) before the national unit to combat hate on the internet. The organization took a firm stance, seeking to eradicate offensive expressions in sport.
Institutional response
The investigation focuses on the senator’s statements, which generated reactions in the sports and political spheres. The FFF called for exemplary sanctions against any discriminatory act.
This incident reignites the debate about racism in football. The authorities and the football community are closely observing the measures taken to prevent future similar episodes.
