A French soccer star has responded to a racist attack by a Paraguayan senator, calling her a "despicable woman" after she made derogatory comments about him following France's win over Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The senator, Celeste Amarilla, had launched a tirade against the player, saying he was "colonized" and "desperately trying to pass himself off as French." She also made personal attacks, calling him "resentful, newly rich, arrogant and ugly."
The French soccer star, who is captaining Team France at the World Cup, defended himself and Paraguayan players in a response to Amarilla. He stated that she did not represent Paraguay and that her remarks were racist and hateful. He also said that her comments had overshadowed the historic effort of the Paraguayan team in the World Cup. The French Football Federation has announced its intention to file criminal charges against Amarilla, calling her remarks "utterly abhorrent and unacceptable."
The Paraguayan government has also condemned Amarilla's remarks, saying they were contrary to the values of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity. The government stated that her comments did not represent the position of the government or the Paraguayan people. Amarilla has since demanded an apology from the French soccer star, threatening legal action if he doesn't withdraw his remarks. She has also accused him of "gender violence" and claimed that her comments were in response to remarks he made before the match against Paraguay.
Amarilla claimed that the French soccer star had made comments that slighted the Paraguayan nation and its players, saying that France would have to "put its hands in s*" to face Paraguay. She also took issue with comments he reportedly made about France needing to "take off its tuxedo" to play Paraguay, which she saw as a metaphor for France being sophisticated and Paraguay being uncivilized. The French soccer star has yet to respond to Amarilla's demands for an apology.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about racism and hate speech in sports. The French Football Federation's decision to file criminal charges against Amarilla has been seen as a strong stance against racist remarks. The Paraguayan government's condemnation of Amarilla's comments has also been welcomed as a step towards promoting respect and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their background or nationality.
