China takes Mbappé apology 'seriously' after backlash over 'Chinese dictator' remark
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • sports
Key Points:
- China's Foreign Ministry acknowledged soccer star Kylian Mbappé's apology for comments deemed disrespectful to Mao Zedong, emphasizing they take the apology seriously amid ongoing fallout.
- Mbappé lost brand deals with at least three major Chinese companies—Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground—all citing opposition to remarks that hurt national sentiment.
- Chinese state media and authorities suspended broadcasts of games featuring Mbappé and demanded apologies from La Liga and Real Madrid, both of which subsequently issued statements expressing regret.
- The controversy arose from Mbappé’s reference to a meme depicting him as a "Chinese dictator," which was interpreted as offensive given Mao Zedong's revered status and complex historical legacy in China.
- The incident reflects China's broader pattern of leveraging economic influence to enforce apologies from foreign figures for perceived slights against national leaders or sentiments.
