A diplomatic scandal has erupted against the backdrop of a football rivalry. French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari reacted sharply to offensive remarks made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla against national team captain Kylian Mbappé. The official reminded everyone of the importance of respect between nations and warned of the consequences of such rhetoric.
Insults directed at the team captain
The trigger for the French government's sharp reaction was the words of the Paraguayan senator. The day before, she made extremely dismissive comments about the French footballer. Amarilla called Mbappé arrogant and ugly, compared him to a chimpanzee, and expressed regret that the Paraguayan national team players did not slap him during the match.
Such remarks caused widespread outrage in French society. President Emmanuel Macron spoke out in support of the athlete, and the French Football Federation initiated an official complaint to the prosecutor's office.
Warning from Marina Ferrari
The French Sports Minister emphasized that such outbursts are completely inappropriate, especially in the context of international relations and sports ethics. She urged foreign politicians to refrain from using the names of world-famous athletes in their own PR campaigns.
Furthermore, Ferrari openly warned the Paraguayan senator about what awaits her in the event of a visit to France. The official noted that French citizens would know how to react to the appearance of the offender.
"Our fellow citizens will know how to receive her. One cannot speak in such a way about one of our fellow citizens. It is not up to me to decide who should enter the country and who should not. But if she is recognized, I think she will not be warmly received," Ferrari stated in a comment.
The football context of the scandal
The match between the national teams of France and Paraguay itself also took place against a backdrop of scandals and was described as "ugly." However, the incident with Mbappé was not the only resonant event of the 2026 World Cup. Other disputes flared up in parallel, in particular, around the US national team and former President Donald Trump.
