French prosecutors have launched an investigation into the racist attack on Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, after the French Football Federation (FFF) filed a complaint with the national unit for combating online hate. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the inquiry on Tuesday, stating that officials are considering whether to charge Amarilla with aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence.
Background of the Incident
The incident occurred after Paraguay's bruising loss to France at the World Cup on Saturday, where Mbappé scored the penalty that sent France into the quarter-finals. Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay's Liberal Radical party, posted a torrent of racial abuse against Mbappé on social media. She mocked the France captain, describing him as a "colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French" and as a "brute who had not learned to write." She also suggested Paraguay's players should have slapped him after the match.
Mbappé's Response
Mbappé responded soon after, calling Amarilla a "despicable woman and unworthy of your position." He wrote on social media: "Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition." He added that her tirade distracted from Paraguay's tremendous accomplishment at the World Cup, stating: "Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup."
Legal Consequences
In a statement on Tuesday, the Paris prosecutor's office noted "the remarks were allegedly made because of the victim's actual or perceived origin, ethnicity, nationality, race, or religion." The offences are punishable by up to one year of imprisonment and a €45,000 ($51,000) fine.
Amarilla's Open Letter
As her racist attack made headlines worldwide, Amarilla posted an open letter in French and Spanish to Mbappé on social media. She sought to blame Mbappé for her remarks, citing her anger at his behaviour during the match and comments about France ditching their "tuxedos" to play "dirty football" against Paraguay. She said she regretted mistreating Mbappé with "the same insults" she had received as a mixed-race person and said she had deleted her post. However, she used nearly half of the letter to criticise Mbappé's response, demanding an apology and accusing him of gender-based violence, threatening legal action if he did not retract his comments.
Official Reactions
The government of Paraguay distanced itself from Amarilla's remarks, describing them as "contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes." It added that the senator's comments "in no way" represented the position of the Paraguayan government or the Paraguayan people. France's President Emmanuel Macron voiced support for Mbappé, saying on social media: "Another goal for Kylian Mbappé. Against racism this time. All my support. When words smear, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity." Macron's office said Paraguay's President Santiago Peña had written to express support and condemn the remarks. France's assistant coach, Guy Stephan, called the attack "disgraceful, vile, outrageous."
