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Real Madrid apologise to Chinese people after Mbappe's Mao 'dictator' comment

  • On Wednesday, China Media Group suspended La Liga broadcasts after Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe apologized for comments about Mao Zedong. The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed they take the apology "seriously" but indicated potential further consequences.
  • A clip from the French show "The Bridge" sparked controversy by showing Mbappe amused by a meme depicting his face on Mao Zedong. The Chinese public viewed the comparison as offensive, citing the former leader's role in the Great Leap Forward.
  • At least three Chinese brands, including Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground, terminated partnerships on Tuesday. Social media platforms Xiaohongshu and Weibo simultaneously banned Mbappe's accounts, citing violations of laws or the Weibo Community Convention.
  • The China Football Association demanded a public apology, while La Liga stated it "deeply regrets the offence that Mbappe's recent comments have caused among Chinese fans." The league pledged a new communication protocol to prevent future incidents.
  • This incident mirrors the 2019 fallout involving the NBA and Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey after he tweeted support for Hong Kong protests. Beijing routinely leverages economic influence to compel foreign entities to align with its political sensitivities.
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173 Articles

Right

Whirlpool around Superstar Kylian Mbappe: According to his remarks in connection with the leader of the revolution Mao Zedong, China has taken note of the apology of the striker of Real Madrid, but initially did not make any plans to lift the boycott.

·Vienna, Austria
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Lean Left

Real Madrid issued a statement apologizing to China after trading a video of the star Killian Mpabi mocking the image of the leader Mao Tse Tong and calling it the dictator.

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Al Arabiya broke the news in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
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