Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe’s Mao remarks

Real Madrid has issued an apology to China over Kylian Mbappe’s controversial remarks about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, after the Spanish football club’s initial response failed to quell anger in China.

In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the club apologised to the Chinese people for “any discomfort” caused by the French footballer’s remarks, a day after Mbappe issued his own public apology.

The apology came after Chinese state broadcaster CCTV Sports rejected Real Madrid’s initial explanation as inadequate, suspending broadcasts of La Liga matches and removing programmes and advertisements featuring Mbappe while demanding apologies from both the club and the player.

According to CCTV Sports, La Liga president Javier Tebas wrote to the Chinese broadcaster on Tuesday, condemning Mbappe’s conduct and apologising for the incident.

“I wish to express immediately and unequivocally our condemnation of the conduct of the player Kylian Mbappe. This is unacceptable behaviour and does not represent the values of our competition or Spanish football,” Tebas wrote, according to CCTV.

“We understand the outrage this incident has caused in China and deeply regret the offence caused.”

Several major Chinese companies have also terminated their commercial partnerships with the French football star.

The club said it held deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid.

“Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to the values of respect, coexistence and understanding among cultures,” the club said, adding that it hoped to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and affection between the club and China.

The club also expressed its support for Mbappe’s public apology, in which the striker conveyed regret for his comments and reiterated his respect for the Chinese people.

The controversy erupted after a video circulated widely on social media, in which Mbappe said his favourite meme featuring himself was one involving “a Chinese dictator”, before showing an altered image of his face edited onto Mao’s body in a blue suit.

The incident sparked widespread criticism online as well as the termination of several major Chinese sponsorship deals, including those with energy-drinks giant Eastroc Beverage and Mengniu Dairy. Swiss sportswear brand On, which signed Mbappe as a global ambassador just weeks earlier, has reportedly removed all references to him from its Chinese social media accounts.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that remarks or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people would “naturally face collective opposition from all sectors of Chinese society”.

A CCTV Sports spokesman said Mbappe’s “inappropriate remarks” had hurt the Chinese people and crossed a red line, going beyond the bounds of freedom of expression.

The spokesman also said as Mbappe was a Real Madrid player, the club could not evade responsibility for his comments. He added that they did not accept Real Madrid’s initial explanation that Mbappe had “never intended to cause offence” and that “players were entitled to express their personal views”.

“We hope Real Madrid will stop wishful thinking. Until the club offers an adequate apology, there is nothing further to discuss,” he said.

Mbappe issued a public apology on social media later on Tuesday. In a statement written in French, Chinese and English, he said he was “sincerely sorry” for his comment and stressed that he had deep respect for the Chinese people and Chinese history.

“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.

On Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry said it has taken note. “We value the apology made by the person concerned,” Guo told a regular press conference.