Paraguayan Senator Sparks Racism Row Over Mbappé Comment

A political firestorm has erupted in Paraguay after Senator Celeste Amarilla made inflammatory remarks about French superstar Kylian Mbappé during a session of the National Congress. Amarilla stated she refuses to “reduce France to Mbappé’s land,” and then added, “I come from a time when saying ‘fucking negro’ was considered normal.” The senator claimed she was criticizing modern French society and multiculturalism, not targeting the player personally. In a country where racial sensitivity is increasingly debated, the comment ignited immediate backlash on social media. Critics accused Amarilla of using a racist slur against one of the most prominent Black athletes on the planet. Supporters, however, argued she was merely referencing outdated language norms. Neither Mbappé nor the French Football Federation has issued an official response at this time.