UN Human Rights Condemns Racist Remarks Against Kylian Mbappé, Calls for Stronger Action Against Racism in Sport
The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) has strongly condemned the racist and dehumanising remarks directed at French football star Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla, describing the comments as “despicable” and warning that they reflect a broader and deeply troubling pattern of racism within global sport.
In a statement issued and published on 7 July 2026 amid growing concerns over discriminatory incidents during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the UN Human Rights Office stressed that the abuse directed at Mbappé is not an isolated occurrence but part of a wider phenomenon affecting football and other sporting disciplines around the world.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, racism, xenophobia and hate speech continue to undermine the principles of equality, dignity and inclusion that sport is meant to promote.
Public Officials Must Reject Racism
The UN emphasized that elected leaders and public officials carry a heightened responsibility to reject racism, discrimination and hate speech in all forms. Public figures influence public attitudes and social norms. As such, statements that dehumanize individuals on the basis of race or ethnic origin risk normalizing discrimination and inciting hatred. The Office urged political leaders to uphold the principles of equality and respect in both public discourse and policymaking.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Highlights Continuing Challenges
The UN Human Rights Office also expressed concern over reports of racist incidents during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, noting that these events demonstrate that racism remains a persistent challenge in international sport despite years of awareness campaigns and anti-discrimination initiatives.
Football has long served as a platform for promoting diversity and social inclusion. However, repeated incidents involving racist abuse directed at players, officials and supporters illustrate the need for stronger preventive measures, effective reporting systems and meaningful accountability.
States and Sports Organisations Urged to Strengthen Accountability
The UN called on governments, football governing bodies and sports organisations to adopt proactive measures to prevent racism and all forms of discrimination.
These measures include:
- Establishing independent and effective accountability mechanisms.
- Investigating incidents of racism promptly and impartially.
- Holding perpetrators accountable through appropriate sanctions.
- Promoting education and awareness programmes that foster inclusion, equality and respect.
- Protecting athletes from discrimination both on and off the field.
The Office reaffirmed that every athlete, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, has the right to equal dignity, respect and protection under international human rights standards.
Social Media Platforms Also Have Human Rights Responsibilities
The UN Human Rights Office further highlighted the role of social media companies in combating online racial discrimination and xenophobic abuse.
Digital platforms were urged to implement effective measures consistent with international human rights standards to prevent, detect and respond to hate speech while ensuring appropriate transparency and accountability in content moderation practices.
Given the rapid spread of online abuse targeting athletes, the Office stressed that technology companies must play an active role in creating safer digital spaces free from racism and discrimination.
Advancing Human Rights Through Sport
The statement also connects the fight against racism in sport with the broader objectives of the Global Alliance for Human Rights, an international initiative aimed at mobilizing governments, civil society, international organizations, businesses and communities to advance equality, dignity and respect across societies.
Sport possesses a unique ability to bridge cultural, ethnic and national divides. When protected from discrimination, it becomes a powerful vehicle for promoting human rights, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
The UN reiterated that language which dehumanizes individuals because of their race or ethnic background has no place in football, sport or public life.
HRLRC Perspective
The founder and publish of The Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC), Berinyuy Cajetan, joins the United Nations Human Rights Office in condemning racism, racial discrimination and hate speech in all settings, including sport. Athletes should be judged by their talent, discipline and contribution to society, not by their race, ethnicity or origin. Governments, sports governing bodies, civil society organizations, technology companies and fans all share responsibility for ensuring that sport remains a platform for inclusion, respect and human dignity.
Racism is not merely a social concern; it is a human rights issue. Combating it requires sustained legal, institutional and societal action grounded in the principles of equality and non-discrimination. As the global sporting community continues to unite millions of people across borders and cultures, every effort must be made to ensure that the power of sport is used to promote human dignity, equality and mutual respect—not hatred, exclusion or dehumanization.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
