Madrid Zone@theMadridZone
🚨 SENATOR OF PARAGUAY, CELESTE SINEZOR OPEN LETTER TO KYLIAN MBAPPÉ:
The problem is between you and me. I have never said anything against France. On the contrary, I stand with France. I studied at a French school from the age of 2 until I was 17, where I completed my education. I am who I am thanks to the Collège de l’Immaculée Conception and the education it gave me. We sang La Marseillaise and honored the French flag alongside our own. I speak French and I love visiting France. Last Christmas, I spent the holidays with my family in Courchevel, and we welcomed the New Year in Saint Tropez. This has nothing to do with France. The problem is with you.
Your arrogance and contempt angered me long before the match, when you said, “If we have to put our hands in the dirt, then let’s do it.” We are not stupid. We understood perfectly that by “the dirt,” you meant the Paraguayan team, and the Paraguayan team represents all of us. Then you said you were going to remove our makeup. We understood that too. All of Paraguay remained silent, myself included. We endured it.
During the match, your arrogance was obvious. Your contempt for every Paraguayan player was clear, as if they were beneath you. Without even covering your mouth, you shouted, “La concha de tu madre,” an extremely offensive insult in Latin America, and you know it.
Finally, you showed complete disregard for the health of our goalkeeper. That is something you simply do not do. Respect between rivals after a match is almost sacred, in war and in peace, in defeat and in victory. Yet you refused to shake his hand and shouted your victory in his face. In a single moment, you displayed contempt, arrogance, and poor manners. It hurt me, it hurt my entire country, and it hurt deeply. France should hold you accountable because it is a nation of honor, with centuries of history and savoir faire.
My posts were written in the heat of the moment, with my blood boiling, the blood of a mixed heritage, a beautiful blend of Indigenous and Spanish ancestry that runs through my veins. I wrote them while watching you mock those extraordinary Paraguayan players who fought as equals until the final whistle. However, I immediately regretted responding to you with the same insults that I myself receive. I realized I was repeating the very behavior I despise, so I deleted the post. I understand that my words offended you because humiliation hurts.
Now I demand that you also retract your statements and apologize to me. I will not tolerate your violence either. You do not know me. You have no idea who I am, and you have no right to say that I AM A DESPICABLE WOMAN, UNWORTHY OF THE OFFICE I HOLD.
I am a Senator of the Paraguayan Nation, elected by the people. Before that, I was a National Deputy, also elected by the people. Thousands of Paraguayan men and women voted for me and consider me their voice. My foremost duty is to speak for the Paraguayan people, to say what they cannot say, and to defend my country with my life if necessary.
I represent my country because I was freely elected. I was chosen in democratic elections to help make its laws and to be its voice. You have no idea what it means to be elected to defend your nation and represent its people.
Who are you to call me unworthy or despicable when you do not even know me? This is blatant gender based violence. This is political violence against a woman who earned her position through the democratic vote of her people. You insult me because I am a woman. You attack my dignity as a woman and as a political representative.
Retract your statements, honor your French citizenship, and apologize. Otherwise, I may pursue legal action for gender based violence.
Celeste Amarilla
Senator of the Paraguayan Nation
