The Paraguayan government has condemned a senator for making racially charged comments about French footballer Kylian Mbappe. The remarks, made by Senator Celeste Amarilla from the opposition Liberal Party, were described as contrary to the values of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that Paraguay upholds.

On July 5, Amarilla took to social media to label Mbappe as "a Cameroonian who has been colonized, pretending to be French." She further criticized him as "rude" and suggested that Paraguayan players should have slapped him after their recent match. The Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that these comments do not reflect the views of the government or the people of Paraguay.

The controversy erupted following a tense match on July 4, where France defeated Paraguay 1-0, with Mbappe scoring the only goal. Amarilla's comments have ignited a wave of indignation in France, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to denounce the remarks as racist.

The French Football Federation (FFF) announced plans to file a criminal complaint, labeling Amarilla's statements as "completely disgusting and unacceptable." They emphasized that such remarks violate the law and should be condemned, regardless of the location.

In response to the backlash, the office of French President Macron revealed that Paraguayan President Santiago Pena had sent a letter to express solidarity with France and criticize Amarilla's comments. Additionally, the President of the Paraguayan Congress, Basilio Nunez, affirmed that Amarilla's controversial remarks do not represent the true values of the Paraguayan people.

Mbappe himself responded to the senator's comments, stating, "Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable person and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, a country that has fought with passion and honor throughout the tournament." The incident highlights the ongoing discussions around race and representation in sports, especially in the context of international competitions like the World Cup.