Mbappe seeks to defuse anger in China after Mao 'dictator' comment
SHANGHAI: France soccer captain Kylian Mbappe apologised to China on Tuesday after a fierce backlash over his comments referring to late Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator, underscoring how swiftly global celebrities can come unstuck.
France soccer captain Kylian Mbappe sought to quell anger in China on Tuesday after his comments about late Chinese leader Mao Zedong earning him widespread backlash. In a French podcast, he appeared to refer to Mao as a dictator, leading to a video of his remarks being taken down. In a statement, Mbappe admitted his comment was "ill-judged" and expressed regret for upsetting people in China and Chinese communities worldwide.
He apologized to everyone his words had upset and stressed that his intent was not to harm. The backlash underscored the risks for athletes and brands operating in China's lucrative market, where satire about Mao remains taboo. LaLiga President Javier Tebas held a meeting with the Chinese ambassador in Spain to address the situation and seek solutions.
Many companies, including Swiss sportswear brand On Holding, hotel chain Accor, and Lego, severed ties with Mbappe following the controversy, citing zero tolerance for disrespectful actions towards the Chinese people. China's state media and broadcaster CCTV called for respect and urged Mbappe to learn from the experience, emphasizing that a relationship built over years cannot be damaged by a single incident.
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