French prosecutors have launched an investigation into racist comments made by a Paraguayan senator against soccer star Kylian Mbappé. Celeste Amarilla called the player a “brute,” mocked his intelligence and questioned his French identity in social media posts following a World Cup match.
The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the inquiry began after the French Football Federation filed a complaint with the national unit for combating online hate. Officials are now weighing whether to seek charges of aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence against the senator.
The case marks a significant escalation over online racial abuse targeting high-profile athletes. Amarilla, as a sitting lawmaker in Paraguay, holds diplomatic immunity that could complicate any extradition or legal proceedings in France.
Legal experts note that French hate speech laws carry penalties of up to one year in prison and fines of €45,000. However, enforcing such charges against a foreign politician would require international cooperation that may prove difficult in practice.