French soccer star Kylian Mbappé has publicly condemned a Paraguayan senator for racist comments made after France's World Cup round-of-16 victory over Paraguay.
Mbappé called Senator Celeste Amarilla "despicable" and "unworthy" of her office after she used racist language on social media, targeting the player's heritage. In her posts, she called him a "colonised Cameroonian" and other slurs.
The backlash was immediate and widespread. French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari labeled the remarks "abject and disgraceful." The French President's office stated Emmanuel Macron stands with Mbappé against the racist attacks.
The Paraguayan government also distanced itself, denouncing the comments as contrary to the country's values of respect and human dignity.
Late Monday, Senator Amarilla issued an open letter. She claimed her issue was with Mbappé personally, not France, and said she deleted her initial post. However, she also demanded an apology from Mbappé and threatened legal action over his response.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino weighed in, stating all of football stands in solidarity with the France captain in the fight against racism.