France captain Kylian Mbappé on Monday condemned a Paraguayan senator over racist remarks she made following Paraguay's defeat to France in the World Cup round of 16.

Mbappé described Celeste Amarilla, a senator from Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, as a "despicable woman" who was "unworthy" of serving in the country's Congress.

"Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup," Mbappé wrote on X.

Amarilla posted a series of racist comments on the platform after Mbappé converted the decisive penalty in France's victory over Paraguay on Saturday. The posts mocked the French captain's origins, upbringing, education, and appearance. France advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will face Morocco on Thursday.

Later on Monday, Amarilla published an open letter in French and Spanish on social media, saying her issue was with Mbappé personally, not with France. She said she regretted insulting him "with the same insults" that she, as a mixed-race person, had experienced herself and confirmed she had deleted the original post.

However, Amarilla also demanded an apology from Mbappé, accusing him of gender-based violence and threatening legal action if he did not withdraw his comments about her.

The Associated Press sought comment from France's team media officers regarding Amarilla's letter.

The Paraguayan government issued a statement on Monday condemning the senator's remarks as "contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes." It added that Amarilla's comments did not represent either the Paraguayan government or the Paraguayan people.

The French Football Federation (FFF) also denounced Amarilla's comments as "utterly abhorrent" and "unacceptable," saying it would refer the matter to prosecutors.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Sports Minister Marina Ferrari publicly backed Mbappé.

"By targeting Kylian Mbappé, the senator is attacking everything our captain embodies and everything our country stands for: liberty, equality and fraternity," Ferrari wrote on X.

"One more goal for Kylian Mbappé. This time against racism," Macron posted, adding that the France captain had his "full support."

France assistant coach Guy Stéphan also condemned the remarks.

"In three words, it's indignant, abject, scandalous," he said.

The controversy followed comments made before Saturday's match by former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who referred to France as "a squad from Africa." FFF president Philippe Diallo responded by saying Chilavert "was once a great goalkeeper" but had now "fallen into disgrace."

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