Kylian Mbappé has apologized after comments referring to Mao Zedong as a "dictator" caused financial and commercial damage in China, according to Le Monde.fr. The controversy, reported on Tuesday, has led Chinese companies to end partnerships with the player, with L'Équipe reporting that they accuse him of having offended "national sentiments."
The fallout has extended beyond the player. Le Figaro reports that Chinese public television has suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches in response to the uproar. BFM Bourse reports that the episode also hit the sportswear brand On, whose shares fell on Wall Street, which the outlet links to what it calls the ambassador's misstep in China.
Boursorama reported that Mbappé issued an apology amid the storm. Le Monde.fr framed the consequences as carrying an exorbitant financial cost, without providing figures in the material available.
The episode illustrates how quickly remarks about Chinese political history can translate into commercial consequences for athletes and the brands attached to them. It also shows the exposure of European football's international broadcast deals to disputes that originate outside the sport itself.
What to watch next: whether La Liga broadcasts resume on Chinese public television, and whether On or other sponsors disclose the financial impact of the dispute.
