Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla has issued a formal open letter to French football star Kylian Mbappé, demanding a public apology and warning of potential legal action over what she describes as 'gender-based violence' — after Mbappé called her 'despicable' and 'unworthy' of her position in response to racist remarks she had posted on X following Paraguay's round-of-16 exit from the FIFA World Cup against France.

How the Dispute Began

Senator Amarilla, a member of Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, posted comments on X in the immediate aftermath of her country's defeat to France in the last 16 of the World Cup. The remarks were widely condemned as racist. Mbappé responded sharply, stating: '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.'

In her subsequent open letter, also shared on social media, Amarilla acknowledged posting the remarks 'in the heat of the moment' and said she deleted them after realising she was 'repeating behaviour she despises.'

What Amarilla Said in Her Letter

'My posts were written in the heat of the moment, with my blood boiling, the blood of a mixed heritage, a beautiful blend of Indigenous and Spanish ancestry that runs through my veins. I wrote them while watching you mock those extraordinary Paraguayan players who fought as equals until the final whistle,' she wrote.

She added: 'However, I immediately regretted responding to you with the same insults that I myself receive. I realized I was repeating the very behavior I despise, so I deleted the post. I understand that my words offended you because humiliation hurts.'

Despite acknowledging her own conduct, Amarilla took strong exception to Mbappé's characterisation of her as 'a despicable woman, unworthy of the office.' She argued the remark constituted an attack on her dignity as both a woman and an elected representative.

'I am a Senator of the Paraguayan Nation, elected by the people. Before that, I was a National Deputy, also elected by the people. Thousands of Paraguayan men and women voted for me and consider me their voice. Who are you to call me unworthy or despicable when you do not even know me? This is blatant gender-based violence,' she wrote.

Legal Threat and Demands

Amarilla has demanded that Mbappé retract his statements and issue a formal apology, framing his response as 'political violence against a woman who earned her position through the democratic vote of her people.' She warned: 'Retract your statements, honour your French citizenship, and apologize. Otherwise, I may pursue legal action for gender-based violence.'

No legal proceedings have been formally filed, according to available reports.

Macron and Infantino Back Mbappé

The controversy drew responses from the highest levels of football governance and French politics. French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X: 'Another goal for Kylian Mbappe. Against racism this time. All my support. When words defile, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity.'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also issued a statement, saying: 'I unequivocally condemn the racist comments directed towards Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla. All of football and society stand in solidarity with the France captain — we need to fight racism and defeat it all together.'

This comes amid a broader pattern of racist abuse directed at footballers on social media following high-profile matches, a problem that FIFA and European football bodies have repeatedly pledged to address. The episode places the original racist remarks and the subsequent exchange under simultaneous scrutiny — a dynamic that has complicated the public narrative around the row.

Whether Amarilla's threatened legal action materialises, and how Mbappé or his representatives respond, is expected to be closely watched in the days ahead.