Real Madrid apologises after Mbappe’s Mao remark draws backlash in China
publishers 20articles 20first reported 27 Oct, 15:30 UTCdeveloping since 27 Oct · 5 editions
Real Madrid apologised to the Chinese people on Wednesday after forward Kylian Mbappe referred to Mao Zedong as a “Chinese dictator” while discussing an internet meme, prompting criticism and commercial repercussions in China.
“Real Madrid CF wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappe,” the club said, adding that it respected China, its history, culture and citizens, as well as its Chinese supporters.
The remark appeared in a clip from the French online show *The Bridge*, in which Mbappe described a meme showing his face superimposed on Mao’s body. The video was later removed. Mbappe apologised on Tuesday in French, Chinese and English, calling his comment “ill-judged” and saying he understood that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said authorities took the apology seriously. La Liga also apologised, while league president Javier Tebas established a crisis unit and met Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, according to Al Jazeera.
Chinese beverage company Dongpeng and dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground ended partnerships with Mbappe. China Media Group said it would suspend broadcasts of La Liga and other matches featuring him, while Al Jazeera reported that state-owned platform Migu would omit Real Madrid’s match against Racing Santander from its weekend schedule. Chinese social platforms Xiaohongshu and Sina Weibo also froze Mbappe’s accounts.
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Written from 4 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 4 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 24 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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