Mbappé criticizes Paraguayan senator for racist comments

Kylian Mbappé, striker for the French national team, did not hesitate to speak out after France's victory over Paraguay in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The player classified as "despicable" the comments made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, who made several racist remarks regarding his origin and education. Celeste Amarilla, a member of the Radical Liberal Party of Paraguay, published her opinions on social media shortly after her country's defeat to France. In response, Mbappé addressed the senator in a blunt statement: "Lady Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and are not worthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country that sweated passion and honor throughout the competition. Through your recklessness and your blatant racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that its players made during this World Cup, making space for an incompetent woman who gives the worst image possible from her country. I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism around the world."  Mbappé, who was fundamental in the match by converting a penalty, stood out in the competition, being one of the top scorers, along with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, all with seven goals so far. France's victory also guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Morocco in Boston next Thursday. The repercussion of Amarilla's comments was magnified following statements by former Paraguayan goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who at a time before the match stated that the French team represented "a team from Africa". These words prompted a response from the president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, who condemned Chilavert's statements and stated: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist statements made by José Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values ​​of respect, fraternity and diversity in our football. If he was once a great goalkeeper, this man has now fallen from grace." This controversy was highlighted, highlighting not only the importance of respect in sport, but also the need for a firm stance against any form of discrimination and racism that still persists in football and society in general. --- ## Related Articles 1. [Belgium ‘astonished’ by FIFA’s decision to wipe Folarin Balogun’s](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/belgium-astonished-by-fifa-s-decision-to-wipe-folarin-balogun-s-world-cup-ban) 2. [Virgil van Dijk Reflects on World Cup Exit: 'Accepting Our Failure'](https://pitchpulsemedia.com/en/news/virgil-van-dijk-reflects-on-world-cup-exit-accepting-our-failure)

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