French prosecutors probe racist abuse of Mbappé by Paraguayan senator

Prosecutors in Paris have launched an inquiry into a racist attack on French footballer Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla following the World Cup match. The French Football Federation (FFF) filed a formal complaint with the national unit for combating online hate, prompting the Paris prosecutor’s office to open a case.

The investigation is assessing whether Amarilla’s social‑media posts constitute aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence. The senator’s remarks, made in the immediate aftermath of the match, targeted Mbappé’s ethnicity and sparked widespread condemnation. The FFF’s complaint underscores the federation’s commitment to addressing hate speech that arises during high‑profile sporting events.

The inquiry remains ongoing, with prosecutors weighing the appropriate charges. The outcome will set a precedent for how online hate directed at athletes is treated under French law and may influence future actions by sporting bodies against discriminatory conduct.