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Mbappé apologizes to China after 'Chinese dictator' meme remark costs him sponsors
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé apologized after a clip in which he joked about a meme putting his face on 'a Chinese dictator' sparked outrage in China, cost him two sponsors and prompted LaLiga president Javier Tebas to apologize as well.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has apologized to Chinese fans after a video of him joking about a meme that placed his face on what he called "a Chinese dictator" triggered a backlash in China.
In the clip, reportedly filmed in April and shared by French podcast The Bridge, Mbappé was asked which meme made him laugh the most. He said his face had been put on "some guy — I think he's a Chinese dictator," adding that he keeps sending it to friends. He did not name Mao Zedong.
'Ill-judged'
"My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China," Mbappé wrote in a statement posted in French, Mandarin and English. "I apologize to everyone my words have upset." He said he had been reacting to an image of himself and expressed "deep respect for the Chinese people and their history."
Sponsors walk away
Chinese drinks maker Dongpeng terminated its contract with immediate effect and dairy company Mengniu also cut ties. According to The Paper, China's state broadcaster halted coverage of matches and events involving LaLiga and Mbappé. Four Mbappé-related topics trended in the top 10 on Weibo.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas apologized for the damage, saying one person's remarks could not be allowed to harm the league's long relationship with China, its more than 20 clubs or Chinese fans. The league said the comments were made in a personal capacity.
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