French Prosecutors Open Investigation Into Racist Posts About Mbappe

French prosecutors have opened an investigation into social media posts by a Paraguayan senator that targeted France captain Kylian Mbappe after Saturday's World Cup match. The Paris prosecutor's office told The Guardian on Tuesday that the inquiry followed a complaint filed by the French Football Federation with the national unit for combating online hate.

Officials are considering charges of aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence.

" She added that Paraguay's players should have slapped him. Mbappe responded on social media, calling Amarilla "a despicable woman and unworthy of your position" and stating that her remarks distracted from Paraguay's performance.

Legal context and responses The Paris prosecutor's office noted that the remarks were allegedly made because of the victim's actual or perceived origin, ethnicity, nationality, race, or religion. Such offenses carry penalties of up to one year in prison and a 45,000 euro fine.

Amarilla later posted an open letter in which she expressed regret for the insults but demanded an apology from Mbappe and threatened legal action over his response. A Paraguayan government statement said the senator's comments were contrary to the values of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity and did not represent the position of the government or the people.

France's assistant coach told reporters the remarks were disgraceful, vile, and outrageous.