FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The atmosphere before France's clash with Paraguay in the round of 16 of the World Cup has been tense not because of tactical analysis, but after an exchange of statements between two former football legends, Christophe Dugarry and José Luis Chilavert.
The match also brings back memories of the challenge between the two national teams in the 1998 World Cup, when France secured qualification only thanks to Loren Blanc's golden goal in the 113th minute. That match was characterized by the excellent performance of goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who kept the Paraguayan team in the game until the final moments.
The controversy started with former French striker Christophe Dugarry, a world champion with France in 1998, who minimized Paraguay's chances after the latter qualified against Germany on penalties.
" Paraguay will be humiliated, it will be massacred. They will only try to defend themselves because they are incompetent, really incompetent. I repeat it once again so that it is clear. In attack they are a failure, a catastrophe ," declared Dugarri.
José Luis Chilavert's response was not long in coming. The former Paraguayan goalkeeper, now 60, published a message on social media, where he used a statement that has been widely considered racist because it targeted the ethnic composition of the French national team.
" Christophe, you're right. In the 1998 World Cup we faced the French, and now Paraguay will play against an African team ," wrote Shilavert.
The statement has sparked strong reactions in France and beyond. French media outlet RMC Sport called the post "shameful," while Latin American media outlets have also described it as a racist comment.
The French daily "L'Équipe" also strongly condemned the episode, recalling that it is not the first time that Chilavert has been involved in controversy for offensive statements. According to the French media, he has previously been at the center of criticism for comments considered homophobic and racist towards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, as well as for the defense he made of Gianluca Prestianni after verbal incidents with Vinicius during a Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid.
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