Mbappé apologises after remarks about Mao in China
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on L’essentiel
Kylian Mbappé, the French Real Madrid forward, has apologised after calling Mao Zedong a “dictator” in a video that went viral in China. Chinese companies Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground immediately terminated their advertising contracts with him, according to AFP as cited by L’essentiel.
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid forward and captain of the France team, apologised on Tuesday 27 October after calling Mao Zedong a “dictator” in a video that went viral in China. In a statement sent to AFP in French, English and Mandarin, he said he was “sincerely sorry” and acknowledged making “clumsy remarks”.
“I apologise to everyone who was hurt by my words. That was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history,” the player said. Three Chinese companies — beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy group Mengniu and cheese maker Milkground — announced on Tuesday the immediate termination of their contracts with him, citing “zero tolerance” for words that hurt national feelings.
These terminations add to those announced by two Chinese brands on 27 October. They concern the reaction to the video about Mao Zedong, China’s former leader.
