After more than five hours of debate, Paraguay’s Senate has passed a majority vote motion strongly condemning Senator Celeste Amarilla’s racist remarks against France captain Kylian Mbappé.
The Senate expressed its “absolute rejection” of all forms of racism and discrimination, and clarified that Amarilla’s comments do not represent the position of the Paraguayan National Chamber.
Background of the Controversy
The motion comes after Amarilla made highly offensive comments on social media following Paraguay’s Round of 16 exit to France in the 2026 World Cup. She described Mbappé as a “colonised Cameroonian pretending to be French,” called him a “brute,” and suggested he grew up “sucking on coconuts” while mocking his education and appearance.
Mbappé responded by calling the remarks “despicable” and “racist.” The comments sparked widespread condemnation, including from the United Nations Human Rights Office, the French government, and Paraguay’s own executive branch.
Senate’s Response
During Wednesday’s session, senators debated the issue at length before voting in favour of the motion. The chamber made it clear that Amarilla’s statements were personal and did not reflect the views of the Paraguayan Senate or the country as a whole.
While the motion strongly condemns the remarks, it stopped short of calling for disciplinary action such as suspension.
Ongoing Fallout
The controversy continues to generate global attention. French prosecutors have opened an investigation following a complaint by the French Football Federation, and the incident has reignited discussions about racism in football and politics.
