Following intense criticism for calling the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong a tyrant, France’s soccer captain Kylian Mbappé apologized to China on Tuesday, demonstrating how quickly international celebrities may fall from grace.
Mbappé is heard talking about a humorous meme in which his face was superimposed onto that of “some guy — I think he’s a Chinese dictator” in a video on a French podcast that has since been removed.
Quick Fact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What Happened | Kylian Mbappé apologised after remarks sparked criticism in China. |
| Location | China and the international sports market. |
| People Involved | Kylian Mbappé and LaLiga president Javier Tebas. |
| Companies Involved | On Holding, Accor and Lego. |
| On Holding's Response | The company welcomed Mbappé's apology and expressed respect for China. |
| LaLiga's Position | LaLiga said it wanted to maintain its relationship with China. |
| Current Status | Mbappé has apologised. No sponsor termination was confirmed in the report. |
| Why It Matters | The incident highlights cultural sensitivities and risks in global sports sponsorships. |
“I reacted to an image of myself during a recent interview,” Real Madrid striker Mbappé stated in a statement. “I now see that many individuals in China and Chinese communities worldwide were harmed by my poorly considered statement.
Mbappé, who has connections to companies including Swiss sportswear company On Holding, hotel giant Accor, and Lego, said, “I apologize to everyone my words have upset.” “I had no intention of doing this.”
The outcry brought attention to the dangers that corporations and sportsmen face in the rich Chinese market, where mockery about Mao is common.
LaLiga Seeks to Resolve China Controversy
According to La Liga President Javier Tebas, he met with the Chinese ambassador in Spain to discuss the matter and “look for solutions that allow us to overcome this episode.”
In a statement shared on social media, Tebas stated, “Our commitment is to keep working together so that an individual episode does not harm the important advances achieved nor affect the millions of Chinese fans who follow our competitions.” “China is and will remain La Liga’s strategic partner.”
China state TV halts broadcasts
Eastroc Beverage and the dairy firms Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech said that they would no longer be working with Mbappé as of right now.
The businesses declared that they “firmly oppose and have zero tolerance for any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.”
On October 27, Dongpeng Beverage Group’s electrolyte drink bottles with Mbappé were on display for purchase at a Beijing store.
The Paper, a state-backed media site, stated on Tuesday that China’s official television has stopped airing all La Liga and Mbappé games and events, and all Mbappé-related ads have been taken down.
Mbappé’s Sponsors Respond to China Backlash
“Mbappé’s team knew, or should have known, what the true cost of Chinese brand endorsements was all about,” stated Terrence Burns, CEO of the T. Burns Sports Group and a specialist in sports sponsorship.
On Holding, a Swiss company that hired Mbappé in September after he worked for US competitor Nike for 20 years, expressed its “deep respect” for China and appreciated his apologies.
Requests for comment were not immediately answered by Accor.
Lego, a Danish company that sells a Mbappé construction set in China, said it was unable to comment. On Tuesday, the Mbappé kit was still available on Lego’s Chinese website.
