{
  "id": 16860232,
  "title": "Kylian Mbappé had to apologise after Mao Zedong joke",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/kylian-mbappe-had-to-apologise-after-mao-zedong-joke",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T06:17:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "France 24",
    "slug": "france-24",
    "url": "https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/sports/20261028-kylian-mbapp%C3%A9-had-to-apologise-after-mao-zedong-joke"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Chinese sponsors cut ties with Kylian Mbappé after Mao meme backlash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/chinese-sponsors-cut-ties-with-kylian-mbappe-after-mao-meme-backlash",
        "published": "2026-10-27T08:54:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "Chinese television suspends LaLiga broadcasts after controversy with a meme and Mbappé, who referred to Mao Zedong as “dictator”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/la-television-china-suspende-las-emisiones-de-laliga-tras-la-polemica",
        "published": "2026-10-27T11:53:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Football: Mbappé apologises for 'ill-judged' joke about China's Mao Zedong that led several brands to drop him",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/football-mbappe-apologises-for-ill-judged-joke-about-chinas-mao",
        "published": "2026-10-27T12:02:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RFI English",
        "title": "From Zidane to Zedong: Mbappé says sorry for comments about former Chinese leader",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/from-zidane-to-zedong-mbappe-says-sorry-for-comments-about-former",
        "published": "2026-10-27T14:41:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Mbappé sorry for ‘ill-judged’ Mao remark after backlash in China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/mbappe-sorry-for-ill-judged-mao-remark-after-backlash-in-china-16803854",
        "published": "2026-10-27T21:26:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Mbappé sorry for ‘ill-judged’ Mao remark after backlash in China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/mbappe-sorry-for-ill-judged-mao-remark-after-backlash-in-china",
        "published": "2026-10-28T04:43:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}