Another controversy has erupted off the pitch at the FIFA World Cup 2026, this time involving France captain Kylian Mbappe and Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla. The political leader has demanded an apology from Mbappe and warned that she may take legal action after a heated exchange on social media following France’s victory over Paraguay.
The dispute began after France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in a hard-fought Round of 32 match. Following the game, Amarilla posted a message on X in which she described Mbappe as a “colonised Cameroonian” who was “pretending hard to be French.” She later deleted the post, saying she regretted using offensive language.
According to Amarilla, Mbappe responded by calling her a “despicable woman” who was unworthy of holding public office. In an open letter posted on X, the senator demanded that the French captain withdraw his remarks and publicly apologise.
Why is Celeste Amarilla demanding an apology?
Amarilla said her disagreement was only with Mbappe and not with France. She explained that she studied at a French school, speaks French, and has always admired the country. She accused Mbappe of showing arrogance before and during the match, pointing to his reported comments before kickoff and his behaviour on the field.
She also criticised Mbappe for allegedly refusing to shake hands with Paraguay’s goalkeeper after the final whistle, calling it disrespectful and against the spirit of sportsmanship.
What legal action has the senator threatened?
The senator claimed Mbappe’s remarks amounted to political and gender-based violence. She argued that insulting an elected female representative was unacceptable and warned that she could pursue legal action if he does not apologise.
Amarilla said she deleted her own earlier post because she realised she was repeating the same kind of racial insults that she herself has faced as a mixed-race Latina. However, she insisted that Mbappe should also take responsibility for his words.
First published on: Jul 07, 2026 12:19 PM IST
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About the Author
Shivam Verma
Shivam Verma is a Chief-Sub-Editor at News24. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football, both playing and watching, and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
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