A single interview clip has cost La Liga a major Chinese state television carrier and left Kylian Mbappé without three Chinese sponsors inside 48 hours.
CCTV began suspending La Liga broadcasts on Monday night and pulled advertisements and programming involving Mbappé, after a clip surfaced of the Real Madrid forward laughing at a meme that put his face on the body of what he called “a Chinese dictator” during an interview with the French online show The Bridge. The remark pointed at Mao Zedong, who died in 1976 and remains a protected figure in Chinese public life, drew a reaction severe enough to drag the league itself into damage control.
Tebas issued the apology on Tuesday, speaking for the league and its clubs in a statement that framed Mbappé’s words as a personal act for which La Liga nonetheless accepted institutional responsibility.
“We are aware of the harm this matter has caused, and I would like, on behalf of the Spanish Liga, to extend our sincere apologies to the Chinese people,” Tebas said.
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“We cannot allow an individual act to tarnish this relationship or harm more than 20 clubs that take part in our professional competitions, as well as millions of Chinese fans,” he said.
Three sponsors cut Mbappé loose
The commercial fallout for the forward himself was quicker and sharper than the broadcast cut-off. Dongpeng Beverage Group was first to announce the end of its partnership, saying it was ending cooperation with immediate effect and setting out its position in blunt terms.
“Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments,” Dongpeng said.
Dairy giant Mengniu followed with language barely distinguishable from the drinks group’s, and cheese producer Milkground made it three sponsor exits in a single trading day, according to ABC News. Chinese sports platform Dongqiudi has also reportedly removed Mbappé’s name from its Ballon d’Or ranking, replacing it with wording that reads “no such person”.
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Beijing weighs in from the podium
The Chinese Foreign Ministry addressed the clip from the podium, with spokesperson Guo Jiakun framing the backlash as a society-wide reaction rather than an orchestrated one.
Guo said Mbappé’s “remarks and deeds … hurt Chinese people’s feelings” and added that “[it] will naturally meet joint rejection from people across Chinese society”.
Mbappé has not addressed the controversy publicly, and The Bridge has pulled the original clip from its social channels.
Tebas opens contact with Chinese partners
Tebas said the league is in direct contact with Chinese partners and relevant authorities and is working to resolve the crisis. He described La Liga’s commitment to China as firm, built over many years, and insisted a single incident must not be allowed to undo it.
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La Liga’s exclusive new-media partner Migu, which carries all 380 league matches through 2029-30, has not confirmed any suspension of its own streaming service, Heavy reported.
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