Kylian Mbappé Loses Chinese Sponsorship Deals Following Mao Joke
French footballer Kylian Mbappé has been dropped by two major Chinese brands after a video circulated showing him appearing to joke about former leader Mao Zedong. Energy drink maker Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu terminated their partnerships, stating the remarks offended Chinese national sentiment.
- Kylian Mbappé was dropped by two major Chinese brands.
- The termination follows a video in which he allegedly joked about Mao Zedong.
- Dongpeng and Mengniu cited offenses to Chinese national sentiment as the reason for ending the partnerships.
How coverage differs: BBC specifies the joke involved putting Mbappé's face on a Chinese dictator, while France 24 explicitly names Mao Zedong and details the termination by energy drink giant Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu.
Read the sources (6)
- BBC — Mbappé dropped by major Chinese brands as backlash grows over Mao joke Center
- Sky News — French football star Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands after 'dictator' remark Center
- Al Jazeera — Kylian Mbappe loses Chinese sponsors for calling Mao ‘Chinese dictator’ Lean Left
- France 24 — Kylian Mbappé loses two major China sponsorship deals over Mao Zedong joke Center
- Japan Times — Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’ Center
- Financial Times — Chinese brands put boot into Mbappé after viral ‘dictator’ meme Center