Real Madrid has apologised to China after Kylian Mbappe’s comments about a meme depicting him as a Chinese dictator sparked a backlash, prompting broadcast restrictions and the loss of commercial partnerships.
China’s state-owned media group has suspended broadcasts of Spanish football league La Liga following comments by Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe about a viral meme depicting him as a Chinese dictator.
The China Media Group (CMG), which oversees public broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), said it had suspended La Liga match broadcasts and advertisements featuring the French footballer after the controversy erupted. The decision was taken on Monday, according to the group’s statement reported on Tuesday.
The dispute has also affected Mbappe’s commercial partnerships in China, with several companies announcing the termination of their agreements with the footballer. Mbappe and La Liga have apologised, while Real Madrid issued its own apology on Wednesday as efforts continued to address the fallout.
How Mbappe’s comment sparked backlash
The controversy followed a video from an interview connected to the French online programme The Bridge. Asked which meme depicting him as a dictator he found funniest, Mbappe referred to a video featuring “a guy” he thought was a Chinese dictator.
The clip then showed an edited image placing the footballer’s face on the body of Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.
Mbappe’s remarks were made while discussing the meme, which forms part of a wider trend portraying the footballer as an authoritarian figure because of perceptions of his influence within the teams he plays for. The clip triggered criticism in China, where Mao remains an important and sensitive historical figure.
Mbappe subsequently described his comment as “ill-judged” and apologised to people in China and Chinese communities around the world. He said he had not intended to cause offence and expressed respect for the Chinese people and their history.
Chinese brands end commercial partnerships
The backlash extended beyond football broadcasting. Chinese beverage company Dongpeng, dairy producer Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech announced that they were ending their commercial agreements with Mbappe.
The companies said they opposed words and actions that hurt national sentiment. Their announcements followed the circulation of the video, although they did not provide separate details about the circumstances of their decisions.
The controversy also affected Mbappe’s presence on Chinese social media platform RedNote, which announced the removal of promotional material linked to him. His account was restricted from gaining new followers, according to reports.
The developments underline the commercial risks international athletes and brands can face when remarks are interpreted as offensive in a major overseas market.
Real Madrid and La Liga respond
La Liga apologised to Chinese fans, saying it deeply regretted the offence caused by Mbappe’s comments. The Spanish competition also said it would establish a communication protocol for players and clubs to help prevent similar incidents.
Real Madrid followed with an apology on Wednesday, expressing regret for any discomfort caused by its player’s remarks. The club reaffirmed its respect for China, its history, culture and citizens, as well as its Chinese supporters.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that the government took Mbappe’s apology seriously. However, the response did not establish whether the apology would lead to the lifting of the broadcast restrictions.
The dispute carries potential financial implications for Spanish football, which has commercial and institutional relationships in China. La Liga president Javier Tebas has also engaged with Chinese officials in an effort to address the situation.
For now, the response to the meme has extended beyond online criticism, affecting broadcasting, sponsorships and the relationship between Spanish football and its Chinese partners.
