Kylian Mbappé apologises after Chinese sponsors drop him over Mao joke

The controversy began with a video in which Kylian Mbappé appeared to discuss a meme placing his face on an image associated with Mao Zedong. According to BBC Football, he allegedly described his "favourite meme" as "the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator".

The coverage generally describes the remark as an apparent reference to Mao, rather than an explicit naming of him. Guardian Sport reported that the video appeared to show the France captain referring to Mao as a "dictator".

By October 27, the circulating video had prompted commercial consequences. Guardian Sport reported that Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu ended their deals with Mbappé on Tuesday, citing "offending national sentiments".

The reported number of departing companies then widened. While the initial coverage identified two major brands, Sky News reported that at least three Chinese companies were cutting ties. The supplied coverage does not identify the third company.

Mbappé subsequently issued an apology. "My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people," he said, according to Al Jazeera. Reports differ on its timing: L'Équipe places his social media statement on Tuesday, October 27, while Franceinfo says it was published on Monday.

The response also reached beyond advertisers. Le Monde reported anger from China's foreign ministry. Telegraaf reported that a Chinese broadcaster had stopped showing La Liga, while La Repubblica said Real Madrid matches would not be broadcast on Chinese television for now.

Mbappé has apologised, but the supplied coverage reports no restoration of his sponsorship agreements. Reports also use different descriptions of the action taken: Guardian Sport says Dongpeng and Mengniu ended their deals, while Euronews describes their agreements as suspended.

The television fallout is less clearly defined. RT en Español reported that state broadcaster CCTV suspended La Liga broadcasts and any match involving Mbappé. Other reports describe restrictions more narrowly, so the exact scope remains uncertain.

The immediate issues are whether the brands reconsider their decisions after the apology and how long any broadcast restrictions last. The supplied reports do not establish a timetable for either, or a confirmed financial cost to Mbappé.