rki.news | Sources: Anadolu
GENEVA: The UN human rights office has condemned racist remarks made against French football star Kylian Mbappe, describing them as “despicable” and part of a wider pattern of racism in football and sports.
UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said such incidents were not isolated and reflected broader discrimination affecting athletes worldwide. He stressed that public officials have a heightened responsibility to reject racism, discrimination and hate speech in their public statements.
The UN urged governments, sports organizations and social media platforms to take stronger action against racial abuse and establish effective accountability mechanisms in line with international human rights standards.
The statement followed comments by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla after Paraguay’s defeat to France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Mbappe scored the decisive penalty. Amarilla faced criticism after making remarks about Mbappe’s Cameroonian heritage, appearance and background before deleting the posts and issuing an apology.
Mbappe responded by condemning the comments, saying racism and hatred should not be given space. He added that Amarilla’s views did not represent Paraguay or its people.
The UN called for continued efforts to promote respect, equality and dignity across global sports communities.