Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands over Mao Zedong joke

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 06:57 · Archive

Kylian Mbappé was dropped by two major Chinese brands after a video showed him apparently joking about Mao Zedong.

Kylian Mbappé was dropped by two major Chinese brands on Tuesday after a video circulated online in which the French football star apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong. Energy drink giant Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu both announced they were terminating their partnerships with the Real Madrid and France captain.

Both companies said the remarks offended Chinese national sentiment. Dongpeng stated: 'Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments.' Mengniu, China's largest dairy producer, said it 'firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.' The announcements came after a video emerged in which Mbappé said the funniest internet meme he had seen was of his face photoshopped onto that of 'some guy – I think he's a Chinese dictator', an apparent reference to a meme superimposing his face on an image of Mao.

In China, jokes about Mao, the country's founding leader who died in 1976, are considered disrespectful and remain a social taboo. Mbappé had been hugely popular among Chinese fans and was fondly nicknamed 'Guigui', the Chinese translation of 'Turtle', due to his popularity in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles meme.

How it is being reported

• Several Chinese brands cut ties with Mbappé after dictator meme commentsMbappé appeared alongside Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi in an advert for MengniuIndependent Sport · 27 Oct, 08:29
• Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’In China, jokes about Mao Zedong, the country's founding leader who died in 1976, are considered disrespectful and remain a social taboo.The Japan Times · 27 Oct, 08:26
• Major Chinese brands drop Mbappé as backlash grows over Mao jokeHe allegedly said his "favourite meme" is "the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator".BBC World · 27 Oct, 07:15
• Kylian Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’Video appears to show football star refer to Mao Zedong as a ‘dictator’ Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu end deals with France captain Kylian Mbappé was dropped Tuesday by two major brands in China after a video circulated online in which the French football superstar apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong. In China jokes about Mao, the country’s founding leader who died in 1976, are considered disrespectful and remain a social taboo. Continue reading...Guardian Business · 27 Oct, 06:24
• Kylian Mbappe loses two major China sponsorship deals over Mao Zedong jokeFrench football star Kylian Mbappe was dropped by two major Chinese brands on Tuesday after a video circulated online in which he appeared to joke about former leader Mao Zedong. Energy drink giant Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu said they had terminated their partnerships, citing remarks that offended Chinese national sentiment.France 24 · 27 Oct, 03:54

In this story: Kylian Mbappé · Mao Zedong · Dongpeng · Mengniu · Real Madrid · China

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