Why did Kylian Mbappé apologize to China? Mao Zedong controversy explained

Why did Kylian Mbappé apologize to China? Mao Zedong controversy explained.

Key points

• Chinese brands have cut ties with French soccer captain Kylian Mbappe over comments related to a meme of his face superimposed on Mao Zedong.
• 27 for a remark that the French star created concerning Mao Zedong during an April interview.
• Mbappé issued an apology on Tuesday on his social media, releasing the statement in English, French and Mandarin.
• In August, La Liga confirmed a new four-year media rights agreement with China Mobile's Migu, a state-owned platform.
• Mbappé was asked regarding his favorite meme of himself during an interview on the French online talk show "The Bridge."

Why did Kylian Mbappé apologize to China? Mao Zedong controversy explained. Seth Vertelney USA TODAY. Chinese brands cut ties with Mbappe over Mao Zedong meme comments.

Kylian Mbappé and La Liga are scrambling to contain the damage after a seemingly offhand comment from the Real Madrid superstar has turned into something of an international incident.

Mbappé and La Liga apologized on Tuesday, Oct. 27 for a remark that the French star created concerning Mao Zedong during an April interview.

Notably, the comment has cost Mbappé at least three sponsorship deals in China, and the country's state broadcaster has additionally unveiled that it is suspending La Liga broadcasts involving the Real Madrid forward. What did Kylian Mbappé say regarding Mao Zedong?

"There are plenty of. The one I laughed the most at is one where they put a video of a guy, I think he is a Chinese dictator, and they put my face on it. I employ it a lot with my friends online, " Mbappé stated.

Mbappé does not name Mao, but the photo in the video demonstrates the forward's face on an altered photo of the Chinese leader's body.

Notably, the remarks were created in April, according to Al Jazeera, but have circulated widely online this week. What happened with Kylian Mbappe in China?

Mao is a sensitive topic in China, where criticism of the leader is considered taboo. The revolutionary served as China's leader from 1949 until his death in 1976, founding the modern day People's Republic of China.

For context, the fallout from Mbappé's comments has been swift. Three major Chinese brands have cut ties with the France superstar: Beverage maker Dongpeng, and dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground.

"Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behavior that offends national sentiments, " Dongpeng remarked in an official note.

In response to a question regarding Mbappé, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated in a news conference on Tuesday: "Any rhetoric or action that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be rejected across the sectors in China."

China Central Television (CCTV), the country's national television broadcaster, confirmed to Chinese media that it had halted broadcasting La Liga matches involving Mbappé and removed featuring the France star. Mbappé and La Liga apologize.

"During a recent interview I reacted to an image of myself, " he remarked. "My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurts plenty of residents in China and in Chinese communities worldwide. I apologize to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese individuals and their history and I am sincerely sorry."

La Liga additionally stated in an official note that it "deeply regrets the offense caused among Chinese fans by Kylian Mbappé's recent comments."

"I want to personally apologize to the Chinese fans for the offense caused. I have deep respect for China, its institutions, and its individuals, and I value the trust they have placed in our football for so numerous years, " La Liga president Javier Tebas noted.

"As president of La Liga, I take responsibility for working with our clubs and players to strengthen understanding and respect for different cultures. We want to nurture this relationship through actions and will implement concrete measures to support ensure that situations like this do not happen again."

In August, La Liga confirmed a new four-year media rights agreement with China Mobile's Migu, a state-owned platform. Tebas remarked "China remains a strategic market for La Liga" after the agreement was confirmed. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

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