By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
You are listening to a new special from am1575news, Francia24 and Radio Centrale Milano, in podcasting and on the medium waves.
Kylian Mbappé apologized to the Chinese population after a video in which, referring to Communist leader Mao Zedong, he called him “a dictator”. The comment emerged from a now‑removed French podcast, in which the captain of the French national football team laughed at a meme that had superimposed his face onto that of the Chinese leader.
The player described the words as “poorly judged” and acknowledged having hurt the feelings of Chinese people and Chinese communities abroad. “I apologise to all those my words have offended,” he said, adding that it was by no means his intention to cause harm.
The case has reignited the debate on the limits of satire and the risks for international athletes operating in such a lucrative yet delicate market. In China, any reference to Mao remains a cultural and political taboo; any perceived disrespect can trigger an immediate and violent reaction.
Mbappé’s Apology and the Reaction of Partners
The statements prompted several companies to immediately cut commercial ties with the player. Chinese dairy, food technology, and beverage brands announced the termination of all collaborations, emphasizing intolerance for words or actions that offend national pride.
Even the Spanish club Real Madrid and the Spanish League received pressure. La Liga president Javier Tebas met with the Chinese ambassador in Madrid to find solutions that avoid damage to the relationships built over recent years. “Our commitment is to ensure that an isolated episode does not jeopardize the progress achieved nor the millions of Chinese fans who follow our competitions,” Tebas said on social media.
Meanwhile, the Swiss brand On Holding, which signed Mbappé last September, received the apology with respect towards China. Lego, which had launched a set dedicated to the superstar on the Chinese market, did not comment on the incident, but the product is still visible on the local website.
Repercussions in the Chinese Market
The consequences extended to the media: state television suspended the broadcast of all LaLiga matches and advertising appearances involving Mbappé. Chinese agencies have asked platforms to remove any content related to the player, highlighting a “zero tolerance” for perceived insults.
On Chinese social media, the story quickly went viral. On Weibo, discussions produced memes that superimpose Mbappé’s face onto military and political figures, fueling the perception of the player as a “dictator” in locker rooms, a label already used by the European press.
The Chinese Foreign Minister recalled that words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with joint opposition from all sectors of society. A note from the public broadcaster CCTV stated it wants to hear Mbappé’s apology, but on the condition of closely observing his future behavior.
In this climate of tension, La Liga reiterated that relationships built over time cannot be ruined by a single episode, promising to work actively with Chinese partners to overcome the crisis.
This is all for now. From the newsrooms of Nice and Paris, this is am1575news, Francia24 and Radio Centrale Milano.
Source: AudioVisione – AM 1575 News