FRANCE have threatened legal action over a sickening racist tirade by a Paraguayan politician at star player Kylian Mbappe.
Senator Celeste Amarilla posted a slur-filled outburst on X in the aftermath of France‘s ill-tempered 1-0 victory against Paraguay on Saturday.
Mbappe’s second half penalty was enough to send Paraguay packing as France advanced to the quarter-finals.
In the wake of her country’s bitter exit, Amarilla described Mbappe as a “colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French”.
She also labelled the tournament’s joint leading goalscorer as a “brute” who had not learned to write.
Amarilla even boldly remarked that Paraguay’s players should have slapped the French captain.
Mbappe responded with a strongly-worded statement defending not only himself but also the opposition team.
He wrote: “Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position.
“You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.”
Mbappe continued: “Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already seen the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the world the worst possible image of her country.
“I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”
The French Football Federation have now announced plans to file criminal charges, describing the remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.”
A statement read: “These remarks are criminal and reprehensible.
“They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere.
“The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor’s office with a view to legal proceedings.
“These remarks bring shame upon those who make them and those who disseminate them.
“The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted.”
The Paraguayan government has since issued a statement.
It said: “The Government of the Republic of Paraguay deplores and rejects the statements made by Senator Celeste Amarilla directed as the captain of the French national football team, Kylian Mbappe, as they are contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, which our country promotes.”
In the meantime, Didier Deschamps‘ men will take on Morocco in Boston on July 9 for a place in the semi-finals.
