“Moron,” “colonized Cameroonian,” “full of inferiority complexes, nouveau riche, arrogant, and ugly”—these words voiced by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla de Boccia have triggered a wave of international outrage.
The target of her attacks was French football star Kylian Mbappe. Now, all of France is rallying behind the national team captain.
A fiercely contested, emotional match
The outbursts were sparked by Saturday’s emotionally charged World Cup round-of-16 match between France and Paraguay in Philadelphia, which France won 1-0.
Mbappe was subjected to repeated rough tackles during the match and stirred up further controversy after the final whistle with provocative gestures directed at the Paraguayan players. His refusal to shake hands with goalkeeper Orlando Gill became a major talking point.
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Shortly thereafter, Amarilla de Boccia published several posts on social media. In one, she called the striker a “moron” who hadn’t even learned to write. “Instead of mother’s milk, he sucked on coconuts, and the most educated things he ever heard were chimpanzees,” Amarilla de Boccia stated.
“Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your office. You do not represent Paraguay — a country that has exuded passion and honor throughout the entire tournament,” Mbappe responded
The forward made it clear that he would not let such racist attacks go unanswered. He said Celeste Amarilla had, “through her blatant racism… presented the worst possible om to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”
Mbappe’s reaction met with widespread approval in France. Many politicians, sports officials, and fans publicly rallied behind the 2018 World Cup winner.
Federation announces legal action
The French FA (FFF) came out in strong support of the forward.
“The racist comments made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla against Kylian Mbappe are utterly abhorrent and unacceptable,” the FFF stated. The federation also announced plans to file a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office “to initiate criminal proceedings.”
FFF President Philippe Diallo also demonstratively stood by his captain. He explained that the French national team players represent the entire country; consequently, attacks on Mbappe were also attacks on France itself.
Support also came from French President Emmanuel Macron, who stated that he “supports Kylian Mbappe and the French national team in the face of the racist attacks.”
According to the presidential office, even Paraguayan President Santiago Pena had condemned the senator’s remarks. Paraguay’s foreign ministry also distanced itself from Amarilla de Boccia’s statements.
Infantino weighs in
The incident eventually drew the attention of the global football community. FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded with a message of solidarity, stating that he condemned the insults “unequivocally.”
“I unequivocally condemn the racist remarks made against Kylian Mbappe by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla,” he wrote on Instagram.
“The entire football world and society stand in solidarity with the France captain: we must fight racism and defeat it together.”
Amarilla de Boccia responded to the wave of condemnation with an open letter in which she explained that her words were directed at Mbappe personally rather than at France as as a whole. She also expressed a measure of regret.
“After only a short time, I regretted hurling the very same insults at you that I myself have to endure,” the senator wrote, adding that as a Latina, she too had also been the victim of racist abuse.
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