The controversy involving Kylian Mbappé and Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla has escalated, with French authorities now investigating racist remarks directed at the French soccer superstar following Paraguay’s World Cup elimination.

Amarilla, a 61-year-old senator with Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, deleted social media posts that targeted Mbappé’s cultural background, appearance and education after France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16.

Mbappé scored the match-winning goal from the penalty spot before later responding publicly to the senator’s comments.

The French captain called Amarilla a “despicable woman” who was “unworthy” of her political position, accusing her of spreading racism and overshadowing Paraguay’s impressive World Cup journey.

The fallout has now moved beyond social media.

Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible aggravated public insult and incitement to hatred or violence. The French Football Federation also filed a complaint with the country’s national unit responsible for combating online hate, describing the senator’s remarks as unacceptable.

Paraguay’s government has also publicly rejected Amarilla’s comments, stressing that they do not represent the country or the Paraguayan people.

Amarilla later published an open letter to Mbappé in which she acknowledged regretting her original remarks and admitted she had repeated forms of discrimination that she herself has experienced as a dark-skinned Latina woman.

However, the apology quickly took another turn.

The senator accused Mbappé of gender-based and political violence for calling her “despicable” and “unworthy” of office. She demanded that the French captain retract his comments and apologize, warning that she could pursue legal action if he refuses.

What began as a World Cup controversy following France’s victory over Paraguay has now grown into an international political and legal dispute involving one of football’s biggest stars, a sitting Paraguayan senator and French prosecutors.

France has advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals, but the fallout from its match against Paraguay is clearly far from over.