Chinese brands cut ties with French soccer star Mbappé over ‘Chinese dictator’ remark
At least three Chinese companies ended partnerships and removed ads after the video drew backlash over remarks seen as insulting to Mao Zedong.
- Chinese drinks giant Dongpeng Beverage and dairy producer Mengniu terminated all cooperation with Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe on Tuesday following online backlash over his comments about Mao Zedong.
- A circulating video showed Mbappe joking about an internet meme depicting his face photoshopped onto Mao, the country's founding leader whose image remains a social taboo in China.
- Dongqiudi, one of China's biggest online football outlets, said the remarks were "offensive to China and the Chinese people" and "have hurt the feelings of Chinese football fans." Dongpeng and Mengniu cited "zero-tolerance" policies toward behavior offending national sentiments.
- "Dongpeng Beverage ends cooperation with Mbappe" became the top-trending topic on Weibo as social media users urged the company to remove his image from energy drink bottles.
- In a French sports newspaper L'Equipe interview, Mbappe previously addressed memes depicting him as historical figures, noting that while some are funny, comparisons to individuals who caused historical damage are "less funny.
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370 Articles
VIDEO - Due to a still unauthenticated video in which he calls Mao Zedong a dictator, Kylian Mbappé lost two contracts with Chinese brands accusing him of "offensive to national feelings".
Kylian Mbappe: Why star has said sorry to China and Chinese communities over alleged Mao Zedong comments, full La Liga statement, confirmed brands to have dropped Real Madrid and France football icon
Here's why Kylian Mbappe has apologised to Chinese fans, what the striker and La Liga have said and the reaction in China.
French footballer Kylian Mbappé joked about Communist China's first leader, Mao Zedong. Now he's being mutilated in China.
Real Madrid's French player has had to apologize after a joke about Mao Zedong that hasn't sat well with CCTV, Chinese state television
A video in which the footballer evoked a parody linking him to Mao Zedong provoked the withdrawal of his Chinese sponsors and the anger of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The case could cost money in Real Madrid, of which China is the first market.
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