French FA chief condemns ‘disgraceful’ ex-Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert for racist remark

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The Independent

4 July 2026

Paraguay

legend Jose Luis Chilavert has been labelled a “disgrace” by French Football Association (FFF) chief Philippe Diallo for “racist” comments made towards

France

before their

World Cup 2026

last 16 clash.

The former Paraguayan goalkeeper said that his national team would face a "squad from Africa" in the

World Cup

tie in Philadelphia.

The 60-year-old has shared ⁠a screenshot on social media of comments ⁠he attributed to former French ⁠forward Christophe Dugarry, which stated that

would get hammered by

Les Bleus

"Christophe, you're right. In 1998 we faced the French and now PY will face a squad from Africa," Chilavert said.

The pair faced off against each other at the 1998

when

played

in the round of 16, with

running out 1-0 winners before winning their first world title in the final against Brazil.

And Diallo responded on X, releasing a statement: “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. “

France ran out 1-0 winners in this year’s last 16 tie after a

Kylian Mbappe

penalty, which was awarded after a lengthy VAR check following a foul from Diego Gomez on Desire Doue.

There was bad blood between the sides on the pitch, with Paraguay’s rough tactics leading to a number of fouls on French players, which controversially warranted zero yellow cards.

Joe Hart, working as a pundit for BBC Sport, described Paraguay’s tactics for the game as “disgraceful,” while Didier Deschamps could be seen ushering Mbappe away from a confrontation at full-time to avoid any disciplinary risk.

France now face Morocco at the Boston Stadium on 9 July after the Atlas Lions beat co-hosts Canada 3-0.

José Luis Chilavert makes racist jibe at France before World Cup last 16 v Paraguay

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