safety
Kylian Mbappé fires back at Paraguayan senator over racist remarks: ‘Despicable woman'
By The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 2 min read
France star Kylian Mbappé on Monday condemned a Paraguayan senator over racist remarks she made following Paraguay’s loss to France in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
Mbappé called Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, a “despicable woman” who was “unworthy” of s...
Key takeaway Late Monday, Amarilla issued an open letter in French and Spanish to Mbappé on social media, in which she said her problem was with the player, not the country of France.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The racist remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla against French star Kylian Mbappé have sparked widespread condemnation, including from the French Football Federation and France's president Emmanuel Macron. In Los Angeles , a city known for its diversity and strong stance against racism, this incident serves as a reminder that racist behavior can have far-reaching consequences. The swift response from the Paraguayan government, denouncing Amarilla's comments as contrary to the country's values, is a step in the right direction. As the city of Los Angeles continues to promote inclusivity and respect for human dignity, it is crucial to recognize that such incidents can happen anywhere and that a strong collective response is necessary to combat racism. The support shown by Macron and the French Football Federation for Mbappé is a testament to the importance of standing up against racist behavior, a principle that resonates deeply in Los Angeles.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? France star Kylian Mbappé on Monday condemned a Paraguayan senator over racist remarks she made following Paraguay’s loss to France in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
Mbappé called Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, a “despicable woman” who was “unworthy” of s...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter