Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla has claimed she has personally experienced racism in France and across Europe, days after facing widespread criticism over comments widely described as racist toward French football star Kylian Mbappé.
The senator, who drew backlash for remarks targeting the France national team and Mbappé, is now portraying herself as a victim of racial discrimination, arguing that her own experiences in Europe have shaped her views.
Amarilla recounts alleged discrimination in France
Speaking publicly after the controversy, Amarilla described what she said was her first visit to France with a friend, alleging they were treated unfairly because of their appearance and language.
According to her statement, translated from Spanish:
“The first time I went to France with a friend, we couldn’t enter any of the major French luxury stores. We were two young women with dark skin who spoke Spanish. I am discriminated against throughout Europe. People look at me with disgust because I am Black.”
The comments were shared widely on social media, where supporters argued she was describing genuine experiences of discrimination, while critics accused her of attempting to shift attention away from the backlash over her earlier remarks.
Amarilla recently came under fire after making comments about Kylian Mbappé that many social media users and commentators condemned as racist. Her statements reignited debate over race, nationality and identity in football, particularly ahead of France’s high-profile clash with Spain.
Critics argued that her latest comments do not address the concerns raised about her previous statements and instead seek to recast the controversy by emphasizing her own experiences with discrimination.
Debate expands beyond football
The episode has fueled wider discussions online about racism in Europe, discrimination faced by ethnic minorities, and whether personal experiences of prejudice excuse or contextualize controversial public remarks about others.
While many acknowledged that racial discrimination exists across Europe and that individuals can experience prejudice regardless of nationality, others argued that such experiences do not diminish the impact of comments perceived as discriminatory toward another person or group.
The controversy continues to generate strong reactions across social media, with users divided over Amarilla’s explanation and whether it adequately addresses the criticism surrounding her earlier statements.
