Kylian Mbappe’s pictures are being removed or covered across China despite the France and Real Madrid star issuing an apology over his recent comments about Mao Zedong. The star footballer is at the centre of a major row after a video emerged this week of him appearing to make fun of former Chinese leader Mao.
Mbappe was caught in the controversy over a popular internet meme where he is referred to as the ‘dictator’. The French footballer took the internet humour sportingly, whilst picking his favourite iteration of the meme.
Mbappe said he was amused by the image where his face had been photoshopped onto “some guy, think he’s a Chinese dictator”.
As the controversy snowballed, Chinese beverage giant Dongpeng announced it had scrapped its partnership with the player. The league reiterated that respect, coexistence and unity among people of different cultures were fundamental values of Spanish football. It also reaffirmed its respect for China, its institutions and its people, acknowledging the support of millions of Chinese fans.
Dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground followed suit before CMG, which oversees public broadcaster CCTV, said it had suspended broadcast of La Liga, the top-division football league in Spain where Mbappe competes. Meanwhile, La Liga said Mbappe’s comments were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the league. “Within the scope of our institutional responsibility, we apologise on behalf of La Liga and all its clubs,” the statement read.
