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The government of Paraguay on Monday strongly criticized racist remarks directed at France forward Kylian Mbappe by a local lawmaker following the elimination of the South American country from the World Cup.
Celeste Amarilla, a member of the leading opposition Liberal Party, hurled racist abuse at Mbappe, calling him a "colonized Cameroonian" who pretends to be French. Amarilla went on to term Mbappe "embittered, nouveau riche, arrogant and ugly," and accused him of being "scared to death" during the game that France won 1-0 on Saturday.
"The remarks made by Senator Celeste Amarilla, directed at the captain of the French national team, Kylian Mbappe, are contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, which our country promotes," Paraguay's foreign ministry said in a statement.
"They in no way represent the position of the government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people," the ministry added.
The remarks, which followed the bad-tempered last-32 game in Philadelphia, sparked uproar in France.
Mbappe joined in the chorus of condemnation from the French government and opposition.
Writing on X, he said: "Mrs. Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and not worthy of your position.
"You do not represent Paraguay, the country that has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition."
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the "racist attacks" directed at Mbappe.
"The President of the Republic stands with Kylian Mbappe and the French team in the face of the racist attacks directed at the Bleus' captain," the Elysee Palace, the official residence and office of the French president, said.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, world football's governing body, also condemned Amarilla.
"All of football and society stand in solidarity with the France captain, we need to fight racism and defeat it all together," Infantino wrote in a statement on Instagram.
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