Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla has demanded that France captain Kylian Mbappe retract comments in which he called her a "despicable woman" and apologise, warning that she could pursue legal action for gender-based violence if he refuses.

In an open letter released on Monday, Amarilla said Mbappe had no right to insult her and called on him to withdraw his remarks.

"I demand that you also retract your words and present an apology. Not to me either; I will not tolerate your violence. You do not know me, you have no idea who I am, and you have absolutely no right to say that I am a despicable woman."

Amarilla's latest comments came hours after Mbappe posted a statement on social media accusing the 61-year-old lawmaker of "thoughtlessness" and "blatant racism" over remarks she made following France's World Cup round-of-16 victory over Paraguay on Saturday.

"Madame Celeste Amarilla, You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition.

“Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country. I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world," Mbappe wrote.

The dispute began after Amarilla criticised the Real Madrid forward, alleging he had disrespected Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill by refusing to shake his hand after the match. She described the handshake as an "almost sacred" gesture and said Mbappe had shown "contempt, arrogance, and a lack of manners."

She later escalated her criticism in an Instagram post, referring to Mbappe as a "colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French" and describing him as "resentful, arrogant and ugly."

Mbappe condemned the remarks as racist, sparking backlash against the senator.

Paraguay's government subsequently distanced itself from Amarilla's comments, saying it "deplores and rejects" the statements directed at the France international.

In a statement issued on Monday, the government said Amarilla's remarks were "contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes."

The government did not comment on Amarilla's demand for an apology or her threat to take legal action against Mbappe who has also not responded to the latest developments.