This story has moved on: Mbappé apologises for calling Mao a dictator after sponsors drop him

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 10:57 · Archive

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga have apologised after a video showed the French striker making fun of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

A video purportedly filmed in April showed Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe talking about being amused by an internet meme of his face digitally altered onto what he called 'some guy, think he's a Chinese dictator', referring to Mao Zedong. Mao remains officially revered in China as the founder of the People's Republic and hero of the communist revolution, and publicly mocking him is taboo.

The French captain's remarks infuriated Beijing. Leading Chinese brands cut ties with the 27-year-old, and Spanish top-flight matches were pulled from state television broadcaster CCTV's schedule. Chinese state media and social media users criticised Mbappe, although details of his exact comments were not widely disclosed.

Within two days, Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga issued apologies. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government took Mbappe's apology 'seriously'. However, sports commentator Yan Qiang told AFP the incident caused 'serious damage to the image of La Liga and Real Madrid in China'. The Japan Times reports that La Liga President Javier Tebas met with Chinese ambassador Yao Jing and set up a crisis unit as the initial apologies failed to stem the response.

How it is being reported

• Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga face long redemption road in ChinaFrench star at the centre of controversy after a video appeared to show him making fun of former Chinese leader Mao.Al Jazeera · 29 Oct, 10:30
• Real Madrid issues apology to China after comments by Kylian MbappeAfter apologies from Mbappe and La Liga did not quell the response in China, La Liga President Javier Tebas set up a crisis unit and met with Chinese ambassador Yao Jing.The Japan Times · 29 Oct, 04:00

In this story: Kylian Mbappe · Real Madrid · La Liga · Mao Zedong · China · France

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log