The France’s Football Federation filed a formal legal complaint on July 6 against Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla over racist remarks targeting national team captain Kylian Mbappé.

The French governing body submitted the complaint to the public prosecutor’s office to initiate criminal proceedings, classifying the South American legislator’s comments as “aberrant” and “unacceptable.”

French football officials emphasized that hate speech constitutes a criminal offense that must face prosecution internationally. “The French Football Federation is presenting a complaint to the prosecutor’s office with the aim of initiating the corresponding legal procedures“, the federation announced in an official statement.

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The legal escalation follows public outcry over discriminatory statements made by Amarilla against the Real Madrid star. The French Football Federation (FFF) expressed absolute rejection of the lawmaker’s rhetoric, noting that such expressions deeply dishonor those who promote and disseminate them across public and digital platforms.

The organization underscored that football players represent the diverse identity of the French nation, rendering any attack against them a direct insult to the country.

Text reads: “FFF statement: Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla’s racist remarks to Kylian Mbappé are utterly aberrant and unacceptable. How can such a speech be made? These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere. The FFF files a complaint with the public prosecutor in order to initiate legal proceedings.fff

The Federation gives its full support to its captain, its players and, more generally, all victims of such hateful remarks. More than ever, the FFF intends to fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. These comments dishonor those who make them and those who spread them. The players of the French team represent France, it is our country that is being insulted.”

Zero Tolerance Declared

The institution reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to eradicating xenophobia, asserting its intent to fight racism and all forms of discrimination with greater vigor.

“The Federation offers its full support to its captain, its players, and more generally, to all victims of such hateful comments“, the official statement read.

European football authorities backed the move, reiterating their strict zero-tolerance policy toward ethnic hatred in international sports.

Legal experts indicate that the lawsuit aims to establish a firm global precedent against impunity for public officials who engage in hate speech. By pursuing international legal channels, the French Football Federation seeks to guarantee institutional protection for minority athletes facing systemic prejudice.

This legal battle occurs amidst a broader international push by sports institutions to hold public figures accountable for discriminatory discourse. In recent years, football federations have faced intense pressure to protect Afroamerican players from systemic abuse on and off the field. The decision to prosecute a foreign lawmaker represents a significant escalation in how sports bodies combat prejudice beyond their physical stadiums.

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