World
Mbappe apologises after Chinese brands drop Mao joke
BBC News·
Kylian Mbappe apologised for ill-judged comments about late Chinese leader Mao Zedong after several Chinese brands dropped him. He had discussed a meme on French talk show The Bridge that superimposed his face on an image resembling Mao. La Liga also apologised to Chinese fans. Dairy firm Mengniu and drinks maker Dongpeng publicly opposed the remarks.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Chinese brand partners moved to end ties after the clip spread on social media.
- Mbappe said he understood the comments hurt people in China and Chinese communities abroad.
- Forum Dongqiudi called the remarks inappropriate and said they hurt Chinese feelings.
What's Happening
- Mbappe did not name Mao in circulating clips, referring to a Chinese dictator meme.
- He said he uses the meme with friends and found it funny.
- Spain's La Liga said it regretted offence caused among Chinese fans.
Why The Meme Circulated
- The meme plays on jokes calling Mbappe a dictator for his influence in football.
- The Bridge segment was hosted by Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.
- Mao remains a highly sensitive figure in official Chinese political culture.
all-news