French prosecutors have launched an investigation into Kylian Mbappé following racist comments made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla on social media after France's victory over Paraguay in the World Cup on Saturday. The Paris prosecutor’s office opened the inquiry after the French Football Federation (FFF) filed a complaint regarding Amarilla's posts.
Details of the Investigation
The investigation will determine whether to charge Amarilla with aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence. The FFF described Amarilla's remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.” In her posts, Amarilla referred to Mbappé as a “colonised Cameroonian” and claimed he was a “brute who had not learned to write.”
Mbappé, who scored the penalty that led France into the World Cup quarter-finals, responded directly to Amarilla's comments, calling her a “despicable woman” and stating that her behavior did not represent Paraguay. He emphasized that her tirade overshadowed Paraguay's achievements in the tournament.
Amarilla's Response and Backlash
In response to the backlash from her comments, Amarilla issued an open letter on social media, claiming her remarks stemmed from frustration with Mbappé’s conduct during the match. She expressed regret for her comments but also demanded an apology from Mbappé, accusing him of gender-based violence.
