Minister Warns Paraguayan Senator Insulting Mbappé: "France Knows How to Welcome You"

Just five days ago, Senator Celeste Amarilla was virtually unknown outside Paraguay. Now, she's undoubtedly one of the most reviled figures in France. Following her unacceptable racist remarks targeting Kylian Mbappé after the France-Paraguay match (1-0), the politician has continued her tirade against the French national team captain.

This Thursday, she even called him a "son of a bitch" in front of the Paraguayan Senate, sparking a fresh wave of outrage. This, however, has put her government in an awkward position.

The scandal, predictably, escalated to diplomatic levels, with the highest echelons of the Paraguayan government issuing apologies and distancing themselves from her extreme views. In an interview with "France Info" on Thursday, French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari once again condemned the senator's actions.

"She didn't just spoil the celebration; this senator's words were absolutely disgusting," Ferrari stated. "That's why I condemned them, and the prosecutor's office was notified. We received apologies from the Paraguayan government, which affirmed that this in no way reflects the country's values. This senator continues down her regrettable path. When you are a political leader, it is simply unacceptable to use such language today."

On Tuesday, Celeste Amarilla completely lost control, publishing an astonishing open letter in response to Kylian Mbappé, who had called her a "despicable woman." In it, she revealed her love for France, where she spends her holidays in luxurious destinations. "The problem is between you and me," she declared. "I have never said anything against France; on the contrary, I am with you. I studied at a French college from ages 2 to 17 and completed my education there. I am who I am thanks to the Immaculate Conception College, and I am here thanks to the education it gave me. We sang 'La Marseillaise' and honored your flag alongside ours. I speak French and adore visiting France. I spent last Christmas with my family in Courchevel, and we celebrated New Year's in Saint-Tropez."

However, her future stays in France promise to be in a far more hostile atmosphere, the Sports Minister warned. "Our fellow citizens will know how to welcome her. You cannot say such things about one of our compatriots," she stated, assuring that the senator has not been declared persona non grata on French territory. "It's not my place to say who can enter the country and who cannot. But if she is recognized, I don't think she will receive a very warm welcome," Ferrari added.

On Tuesday, the Paris prosecutor's office launched an investigation into "public insult and incitement to hatred or violence." But can she be held accountable? French justice is competent, as the victim is a French citizen, but other obstacles could prevent the conviction of the Paraguayan MP in France. Firstly, Paraguayan justice must agree to cede the case to French authorities and lift her potential parliamentary immunity. Then, it would need to provide Paris with the legal means to prosecute the senator.

Nevertheless, Celeste Amarilla could one day be detained by police on the spot. A judge could even decide to charge her on this occasion, though this might not lead to more serious consequences. Theoretically, she faces a year in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros.