P302news.today302Tue 27 Oct22:58
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Mbappe loses Chinese sponsors over Mao Zedong meme joke
Kylian Mbappe was dropped by at least three Chinese brands after a video showed him joking about a meme of his face superimposed on Mao Zedong.
French footballer Kylian Mbappe lost sponsorships from Chinese beverage maker Dongpeng, dairy producer Mengniu and cheesemaker Milkground after a video circulated showing him discussing a meme in which his face was superimposed on an image of Mao Zedong, whom he referred to as a 'Chinese dictator'. In China, jokes about Mao, the founding leader who died in 1976, are considered deeply disrespectful and taboo. The companies said they oppose behaviour that 'offends national sentiments'. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches, the Spanish league where Mbappe plays for Real Madrid. Mbappe subsequently apologised, saying his comment was 'ill-judged' and that he has 'deep respect for the Chinese people and their history'. La Liga also issued an apology for the remarks.
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