Paraguayan senator makes hacking claim after Kylian Mbappé accuses her of 'brazen racism'
A racism controversy involving Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla and France captain Kylian Mbappé continued to intensify throughout the week, reaching a peak on Friday when Amarilla claimed her Instagram account had been hacked.
The dispute began following France’s hard-fought 1-0 Round of 16 FIFA World Cup win against Paraguay, when Amarilla unleashed a series of attacks against Mbappé on social media, branding him a “colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French” and a “brute who had not learned to write,” among other inflammatory remarks.
Mbappé hit back forcefully, labeling Amarilla a “despicable woman” who was “unworthy of her position,” and accusing her of “brazen racism,” as per The Mirror US. The incident follows a Paraguay legend being widely condemned over a separate “racist” attack targeting France.
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The fallout spiraled significantly in the days that followed. French prosecutors launched a formal investigation into the senator’s comments after a complaint was filed by the French Football Federation, citing an offense carrying a penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of €45,000 ($51,367.50).
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also denounced the remarks, stating that “all of football and society stand in solidarity with the France captain.” Paraguay’s Senate formally distanced itself from Amarilla’s comments, declaring they did not represent the chamber’s position, while the Paraguayan government similarly moved to disassociate itself from her statements.
Both the United Nations human rights office and World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus released statements denouncing the senator’s remarks.
Amid the mounting backlash, Amarilla delivered a contradictory response. In one social media post, she expressed regret for using insults she herself had endured as a mixed-race woman, while simultaneously demanding Mbappé apologize to her and threatening legal action, characterizing his response as “gender-based violence” and “political violence against a woman.”
In subsequent comments to reporters, she conceded her original remarks “were racist” and “unfortunate,” though she fell short of a full apology, stating instead, “I’m trying to build a different Celeste Amarilla.”
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She has continued to signal her intention to pursue legal action against Mbappé, telling a Paraguayan broadcaster she was weighing a lawsuit against him, with her attorney suggesting her case could argue that his comments constitute criminal defamation under Paraguayan law.
Amarilla then claimed Friday that her Instagram account had been hacked, even as she continued publishing content targeting Mbappé, including material referencing his missed penalty and subsequent complaints to officials during France’s 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Morocco on Thursday.
“I am announcing that my Instagram account has been hacked, possibly since this morning, so I am not responsible for anything that is posted there from today onward,” Amarilla wrote. “I am taking the necessary steps for my protection and that of my followers. Please excuse any inconvenience this may cause you.”
Hours later, a message emerged on her Instagram account stating, “I got my Instagram back 2 hours ago! France, you can keep on annoying me! ! !”
Mbappé, meanwhile, has continued to deliver on the pitch for France, finding the net in Thursday’s victory over Morocco to match Lionel Messi at the summit of the tournament’s Golden Boot race as France progressed to the semifinals.
