French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo has called for an end to the ongoing backlash surrounding Kylian Mbappe, insisting that the France captain should be allowed to focus on his season. Diallo’s intervention comes after Mbappe apologized for referring to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a “Chinese dictator” during a French podcast segment that has since been removed. Diallo expressed hope the issue would soon be resolved.
The controversy emerged from a recurring internet meme where fans photoshopped the 27-year-old’s face onto various political and military figures to mock his perceived influence within his clubs. Known in the European press as “the dictator,” Mbappe had attempted to discuss the meme on air, inadvertently triggering a diplomatic and commercial firestorm. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that the government is taking the player’s apology “seriously.” The controversy stems from a long-running joke surrounding 27-year-old Mbappe’s influence at club level.
The incident has hit Mbappe’s professional life significantly. Several Chinese brands, including Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, Mengniu, and Eastroc Beverage, have severed ties with the player. Furthermore, Chinese state broadcaster Migu has opted not to air Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Racing Santander this Sunday. State-run outlet China Daily described the situation as a sharp reminder of the limitations regarding celebrity influence and the risks associated with the Chinese market, where satire concerning the country’s founding leader remains a sensitive taboo. Where satire about Mao, modern China’s founding leader who governed the country from 1949 until his death in 1976, remains a soc, the backlash highlights the risks for athletes and brands in the lucrative Chinese market.
Real Madrid and La Liga have also issued formal apologies to mitigate the fallout. La Liga president Javier Tebas established a dedicated crisis unit to handle the situation, which included a meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, on Wednesday. Diallo emphasized that because Mbappe has clearly explained the context of his comments and offered an apology, the matter should be put to rest.
“I believe we should now leave it at that so that he can continue his season in the best possible conditions,” Diallo stated via the French publication Ouest-France. Despite the federation’s support, the player faces a challenging environment as the footballing world attempts to move past a situation that has threatened his lucrative commercial presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
