Kylian Mbappe Issues Apology to Chinese Fans Amid Controversy
Mbappe's Apology Following Backlash
New Delhi: Kylian Mbappe, the forward for Real Madrid, has expressed regret to his Chinese fans following controversial remarks he made regarding a meme that featured Mao Zedong, the former leader of China. This incident has led to three Chinese companies reportedly terminating their sponsorship agreements with the French football star.
La Liga, the Spanish football league, also issued an apology for the offense caused by Mbappe's comments, distancing itself from his statements and announcing intentions to implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In a statement shared on X, Mbappe acknowledged, "My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world." He further stated, "I apologise to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry."
The controversy erupted after a video featuring Mbappe circulated online, where he was asked about his favorite meme. He referenced a video that depicted a man he mistakenly identified as a Chinese dictator, which included an edited image of his face on Mao Zedong's body.
This led to significant backlash from Chinese fans, prompting the termination of commercial relationships with Mbappe by three companies.
La Liga clarified that Mbappe's comments were made in a personal context and did not reflect the league's views. They stated, "Within the scope of our institutional responsibility, we apologise on behalf of La Liga and all its clubs."
The league emphasized the importance of respect, coexistence, and unity among diverse cultures as core values of Spanish football. They also reaffirmed their respect for China and its people, recognizing the support from millions of Chinese fans.
Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, personally apologized to Chinese supporters, acknowledging the trust they have placed in Spanish football over the years. He stated, "As President of La Liga, I take on the responsibility of working with our clubs and players to strengthen awareness of and respect for different cultures. We want to nurture this relationship through action, and we will implement concrete measures to help ensure that situations like this do not happen again."
La Liga plans to establish an awareness and communication protocol in collaboration with clubs and players, aiming to address the situation and enhance their ongoing engagement with partners in China.