French FA chief condemns Chilavert as 'disgrace' after racist remark ahead of World Cup tie

French Football Association president Philippe Diallo has condemned former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert in the strongest possible terms after the 60-year-old made racist remarks about the France national team on social media ahead of their World Cup 2026 last-16 meeting in Philadelphia, which France won 1-0.

Chilavert posted a screenshot of comments attributed to former France forward Christophe Dugarry, who had suggested Paraguay would be heavily beaten by Les Bleus. Responding to Dugarry, Chilavert wrote: “Christophe, you’re right. In 1998 we faced the French and now PY will face a squad from Africa.”

Diallo responded swiftly on X: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by José Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in our football.”

The two nations share history at the World Cup. At France 1998, Les Bleus eliminated Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16 on their way to winning the tournament for the first time. Chilavert was Paraguay’s goalkeeper in that match; Dugarry was part of the France squad.

On the pitch in Philadelphia, the 2026 rematch was equally tense. France secured their passage through a Kylian Mbappé penalty, awarded after a lengthy VAR review for a foul by Diego Gomez on Désiré Doué. Paraguay’s physical approach drew widespread criticism — former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, working as a pundit, described their tactics as “disgraceful” — yet the South Americans escaped without a single yellow card, a decision that drew considerable controversy.

France manager Didier Deschamps was seen steering Mbappé away from a confrontation at full-time, apparently keen to avoid any disciplinary consequences heading into the quarter-finals.

France now face Morocco in Boston on 9 July after the Atlas Lions eliminated co-hosts Canada 3-0.