Chinese state TV rejects Real Madrid apology over Mbappé

Real Madrid apologized to the Chinese people on Wednesday, October 28, over Kylian Mbappé's remarks seen as disrespectful to Mao Zedong. China's Foreign Ministry said it took the player's own apology "seriously". The apologies have not ended the dispute. China's state broadcaster called the explanations it attributed to Real Madrid insufficient and is keeping its suspension of Spanish league broadcasts in place.cbc.ca+1

The row started with a clip from the French program "The Bridge." In it, Mbappé said the funniest meme he had seen of himself put his face on "some guy—I think he's a Chinese dictator." The image showed Mao.cnbc.com

Sponsors and broadcasters pull back

Dongpeng Beverage, Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground all ended their partnerships with the forward. Each said it opposed "any words and actions that hurt national sentiment". The companies are Eastroc Beverage, China Mengniu Dairy and Shanghai Milkground. Dongpeng's sports drink brand Bushuila had named him its ambassador only in April. Chinese outlet Phoenix reported that On ↗ 2.99% and Dior Christian Dior SE had also removed Chinese promotional content featuring him.cp24.com+1

China Media Group (CMG), which oversees CCTV, suspended La Liga coverage, matches involving Mbappé and ads featuring him on October 26. People's Daily's commentary platform said his Weibo and Xiaohongshu accounts, which have about a million followers each, were muted.cnbc.com+1

Apologies fail to settle it

Mbappé apologized on October 27 in French, Chinese and English. "My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world," he said. La Liga said the remarks "were made in a personal capacity and do not represent La Liga". Real Madrid apologized "for any discomfort that may have been caused" and said it held "deep respect for China, its history, its culture, and its citizens".sports.yahoo.com+2

CMG's Sports and Youth Center rejected the position it attributed to the club, that Mbappé "never intended to offend" and had a right to his opinions. It said his remarks "go beyond freedom of expression," and that until Real Madrid issues a satisfactory apology, "there is nothing to discuss".en.as.com

A warning to celebrities

In a commentary on October 28, the Communist Party's People's Daily warned that foreign stars risk losing their commercial appeal in China if they offend local audiences. "Once a line is crossed or the public is offended, all the glamour will quickly dissipate, and one may even face backlash," it wrote, adding that "learning to respect different countries and cultural backgrounds is an essential lesson".straitstimes.com

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun took a similar line. "Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with joint opposition from all sectors of Chinese society," he said.cnbc.com