Kylian Mbappé had to apologise after Mao Zedong joke

Kylian Mbappé has issued an apology following comments regarding an internet meme that superimposed his face onto a Chinese dictator, reportedly Mao Zedong. During an appearance on the French television program The Bridge, Mbappé stated that the meme was one he found most amusing and used frequently with friends. He later described his remarks as poorly considered and expressed remorse, stating he recognizes they caused distress to individuals in China and within Chinese diaspora communities globally.

The controversy has resulted in several commercial and media consequences. According to Euro Weekly News, three companies ended their sponsorship agreements with the Real Madrid striker, including Chinese beverage and dairy companies, while state broadcaster CCTV suspended LaLiga coverage of matches involving Mbappé. France 24 confirmed that several major Chinese companies have ended their partnerships with the footballer.

Mbappé’s company, Interconnected Ventures, released the apology in French, Chinese, and English on Tuesday.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Daily Post Nigeria, Euro Weekly News, PBS NewsHour, RFI English — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.