Asuncion, July 7 -- Paraguay Senator Celeste Amarilla defended her public exchange with France captain Kylian Mbappe, saying it was a personal matter that had been unnecessarily turned into an international controversy.

She alleged that FIFA, rather than either herself or Mbappe, was behind the escalation, accusing the governing body of exerting political influence and interfering in national affairs.

Amarilla also criticized CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez and argued that Paraguayan President Santiago Pena should have clarified that her remarks reflected her personal views as an opposition senator, not the position of the Paraguayan government, stressing that the issue was not a bilateral dispute between Paraguay and France.

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