The story so far
- Mbappé Faces China Backlash Over Mao Dictator CommentYou are here
- Mbappé Apologizes to China Over Mocking Meme8 sourcesLatest
Updated 1w+ ago · Sports
Mbappé Faces China Backlash Over Mao Dictator Comment
Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground ended agreements with Kylian Mbappé on Tuesday. The move came after a clip circulated online in which he appeared to reference a Mao Zedong meme.
- In the clip, Mbappé calls his favorite meme one showing a Chinese dictator.
- The meme superimposes his face on an image resembling Mao.
- Mbappé never names Mao, and the video is gone from The Bridge's channel.
- AFP Fact Check could not immediately verify the video's authenticity.
Why it matters: Mbappé's face appears in ads across China, and the backlash now reaches beyond his sponsors. Jokes about Mao remain a social taboo in China.
- CCTV is suspending La Liga matches, according to The Paper.
- China's foreign ministry said such remarks would meet opposition across Chinese society.
How 41 sources split on this story
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Factuality
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Coverage by lean
41 sources · 79 articles · 46% Center coverage
Center coverage, 19 sources: The center sees a fast-growing backlash, including state media and the foreign ministry, set against Mao's contested history and Mbappé's dictator nickname among fans.
BBC News1w+Major Chinese brands drop Mbappé as backlash grows over Mao jokeCTV News1w+China takes Mbappé's apology 'seriously' after backlash over his ‘Chinese dictator’ commentsForbes1w+Real Madrid Apologizes For Mbappé ‘Dictator’ Comments—After Chinese Broadcasters Drop GamesFrance 241w+Mbappé's China faux pas: When the sports world collides with the complexities of geopoliticsJapan Times1w+Real Madrid issues apology to China after comments by Kylian MbappeHeavy1w+Tuesday Soccer Roundup: Mbappé China Fallout, Arsenal Cup Shock & Lazio Go TopAssociated Press1w+Real Madrid issues public apology to China over Mbappé’s Mao Zedong commentsBloomberg1w+Mbappé China Backlash Prompts China’s Warning for Global CelebritiesFortune1w+Mbappé is the latest global name to find himself on the wrong side of Chinese patriotism | FortuneCNBC1w+Kylian Mbappé faces China backlash as sponsors cut ties over viral memeDeutsche Welle1w+Mbappe apologizes as Chinese sponsors drop him and TV broadcasts are halted over Mao dictator remarkESPN1w+Chinese brands drop Mbappé after comment about 'Chinese dictator' memeKSAT 12 San Antonio1w+China takes Mbappé's apology 'seriously' after backlash over his ‘Chinese dictator’ commentsPBS NewsHour1w+Soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for comments about Mao ZedongSky News1w+French football star Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands after 'dictator' remarkTMZ1w+Kylian Mbappe Dropped By Chinese Brands After Mao 'Dictator' CommentUSA Today1w+Why did Kylian Mbappé apologize to China? Mao Zedong controversy explainedVOA News1w+Mbappé, Real Madrid forced to apologize over 'dictator' comment about China's Mao ZedongWPXI Pittsburgh1w+Real Madrid issues public apology to China over Mbappé's Mao Zedong comments
Left coverage, 7 sources: The left sees the story as the latest case of foreign stars losing Chinese sponsors after touching political sensitivities, alongside past NBA controversies.
The Guardian1w+Kylian Mbappé’s China crisis shows how sensitive Mao’s legacy remainsThe Independent1w+China accepts Mbappé apology over ‘ill-judged’ joke on Mao ZedongAl Jazeera1w+Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga face long redemption road in ChinaBusiness Insider1w+Kylian Mbappé loses sponsors in China after joking about Chairman MaoCNN1w+Soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for remark about ‘Chinese dictator’NBC News1w+Memes, Mao and Mbappé: Chinese brands drop soccer star in fury over ‘dictator’ jokeTime1w+Mbappé Apologizes After ‘Dictator’ Mao Comment: What to Know
Right15 sources
OutKick1w+Kylian Mbappé's embarrassing, groveling apology to China comes down to money: Dan DakichDaily Mail1w+Kylian Mbappe's China row explodes as state broadcaster stands by Real Madrid blackout and REJECTS apology following 'dictator' Chairman Mao quipNTD1w+Mbappé ‘Dictator’ Controversy Sparks Political and Fan BacklashThe Sun1w+What did Kylian Mbappe say about China?Citizen Free Press1w+China freaks out over comment by soccer player.Fox News1w+Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe controversy after state-run TV demands itNational Review1w+Mbappé’s Own Goal on Chinese RepressionNew York Post1w+Soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologizes for calling Communist dictator Mao a 'dictator'Power Line1w+这不好笑!The Daily Caller1w+Sponsors Dropping One Of World’s Biggest Soccer Stars Over Chinese Dictator CommentThe Epoch Times1w+China Turns Mbappe’s Mao Meme Joke Into Political ControversyThe Gateway Pundit1w+French Soccer Captain Kylian Mbappé Bends The Knee to China, Issues Groveling Apology For Calling Mao Zedong a ‘Dictator’ * The Gateway Pundit * by Ben KewThe Washington Times1w+Soccer star Kylian Mbappe apologizes for apparent reference to Mao as a 'dictator'Wall Street Journal1w+Global Soccer Star Kylian Mbappé Just Apologized to China—for a Mao Zedong MemeWashington Examiner1w+Kylian Mbappe shouldn’t apologize for calling Mao a dictator
What’s next: Mbappé and The Bridge have not responded publicly. The Associated Press could not reach his representatives.
- RedNote said it would remove promotional materials from a partnership that ended in 2024.
- Is the circulating clip authentic, and when was it recorded?
- Will more Chinese brands or broadcasters cut ties with Mbappé?
- Will Mbappé address the remarks directly?
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