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Mbappé's Mao remark costs him Chinese sponsors; critic calls backlash "ridiculous"

Kylian Mbappé has apologised and lost Chinese sponsors over a video in which he appeared to mock Mao Zedong, and Real Madrid has also apologised.

Posted Updated (4 d ago)

Kylian Mbappé is dealing with ongoing fallout in China after a video appeared to show him mocking Mao Zedong. Al Jazeera says he, Real Madrid and La Liga face a long road to redemption there.

Fox News spoke to Xi Van Fleet, who it describes as a survivor of Mao's Cultural Revolution. She called the backlash "ridiculous" and said most Chinese people don't know what he said.

Real Madrid apologised to the Chinese people on Wednesday, France 24 reports. That came a day after Mbappé and La Liga expressed regret. Al Jazeera says mocking Mao is taboo in China, a lucrative market for players and clubs like Real.

Mbappé apologised. BBC News and PBS NewsHour report he called his comments "ill-judged." PBS says he acknowledged they hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities worldwide. France 24 says he cited respect for the Chinese people and their history.

Al Jazeera reports three major Chinese brands have ended partnerships with him. France 24 says several major Chinese companies have done so. Deutsche Welle reports state television suspended Spanish league broadcasts.

Al Jazeera reports China said it takes the apology "seriously." CNBC reports Chinese state media warned it will be judged against his actions.

Reported by

  1. Al JazeeraKylian Mbappe loses Chinese sponsors for calling Mao ‘Chinese dictator’Tue, Oct 27, 5:24 AM EDT
  2. Al JazeeraKylian Mbappe apologises after ‘dictator’ comment angers Chinese fansTue, Oct 27, 8:47 AM EDT
  3. Fox NewsKylian Mbappe predictably bends the knee after losing Chinese sponsors for laughing at meme of dictator MaoTue, Oct 27, 10:58 AM EDT
  4. Deutsche WelleMbappe apologizes as Chinese sponsors drop him and TV broadcasts are halted over Mao dictator remarkTue, Oct 27, 12:49 PM EDT
  5. BBC NewsWatch: The Mbappé-Chairman Mao controversy explainedTue, Oct 27, 1:11 PM EDT
  6. PBS NewsHourSoccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for comments about Mao ZedongTue, Oct 27, 2:02 PM EDT
  7. CNBCKylian Mbappé faces China backlash as sponsors cut ties over viral memeTue, Oct 27, 11:33 PM EDT
  8. Al JazeeraMbappe faces backlash in China for meme fiascoWed, Oct 28, 12:28 AM EDT
  9. France 24Real Madrid apologise to China over Mbappé's Mao Zedong commentsWed, Oct 28, 2:00 AM EDT
  10. France 24Kylian Mbappé had to apologise after Mao Zedong jokeWed, Oct 28, 2:17 AM EDT
  11. Al JazeeraChina says it takes Mbappe’s apology ‘seriously’ after Mao dictator commentWed, Oct 28, 4:57 AM EDT
  12. Al JazeeraReal Madrid apologise to Chinese people for Mbappe’s Mao ‘dictator’ remarkWed, Oct 28, 8:56 AM EDT
  13. Al JazeeraWhat is the controversy between Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and China?Wed, Oct 28, 11:36 AM EDT
  14. Al JazeeraKylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga face long redemption road in ChinaThu, Oct 29, 6:30 AM EDT
  15. Fox NewsSurvivor of Mao's cultural revolution speaks out on Kylian Mbappe fallout in China over laughed-at memeThu, Oct 29, 11:26 AM EDT

This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.

Earlier versions (7)
  1. Wed, Oct 28, 9:15 AM EDT, 7 outlets: Real Madrid apologise to Chinese people over Mbappe's Mao remark
  2. Wed, Oct 28, 2:20 AM EDT, 7 outlets: Three Chinese brands drop Mbappe over Mao remark as state media warns him
  3. Tue, Oct 27, 11:40 PM EDT, 6 outlets: Chinese state media says Mbappe's Mao apology will be judged by his actions
  4. Tue, Oct 27, 3:20 PM EDT, 5 outlets: Mbappe apologizes for Mao remark after Chinese sponsors drop him
  5. Tue, Oct 27, 2:10 PM EDT, 4 outlets: Mbappe apologises for Mao remark after Chinese sponsors drop him
  6. Tue, Oct 27, 12:55 PM EDT, 3 outlets: Mbappe apologises after Chinese sponsors drop him over Mao remark
  7. Tue, Oct 27, 11:00 AM EDT, 2 outlets: Mbappe apologises after Chinese brands drop him over Mao remark