UN rights office condemns racist remarks targeting Mbappé

The United Nations human rights office on Tuesday condemned what it described as “racist” and “dehumanizing” remarks made by a Paraguayan senator against France captain Kylian Mbappé following France’s Round of 16 victory over Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement, Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the comments were “unacceptable” and “not an isolated case.”

“The racist and dehumanizing remarks targeting French footballer Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla are unacceptable and, unfortunately, do not constitute an isolated incident,” Al-Kheetan said. “The racist incidents recorded during the 2026 FIFA World Cup reflect a broader phenomenon affecting football and sport in general.”

The condemnation followed comments by Celeste Amarilla after Paraguay’s 1-0 defeat to France in the Round of 16 on Saturday. The match was marked by several fouls and unsporting conduct before France secured victory through a second-half penalty converted by Mbappé.

Amarilla wrote on X that Mbappé was “an idiot” who “never even learned how to write,” adding that “instead of his mother’s milk, he was fed coconut,” and making additional remarks comparing him to chimpanzees.

In a separate post, she described Mbappé as “Cameroonian, a product of colonialism, desperately pretending to be French,” calling him “resentful, newly rich, arrogant and ugly.” She also claimed France won “through sheer luck.”

Mbappé responded on X by describing the senator as “despicable” and “unworthy of her office.”

The French captain has since received widespread support, including from Emmanuel Macron and the Paraguayan government, which said Amarilla’s remarks were incompatible with the values and principles of human dignity.

Al-Kheetan said public figures have “a particular responsibility” to combat racism, discrimination and hate speech in their public statements, and called on governments and sports organizations to take active measures to prevent racism and all forms of discrimination in sport.