Chinese sponsors Dongpeng Beverage and Mengniu have dropped French footballer Kylian Mbappé over an online video in which he apparently joked about Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China. The decision was announced on October 27, 2026, according to The Hindu.
Dongpeng said it "firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments" and, with immediate effect, is terminating all cooperation with Mbappé, according to The Hindu. Mengniu, described as China’s largest dairy producer, also cut ties, saying it has a zero-tolerance policy towards words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.
According to BBC World, Mbappé reportedly told the French talk show The Bridge that his favourite meme was one of a "guy, I think it’s a Chinese dictator", with a meme of his face superimposed on an image resembling Mao. He does not name Mao in the clip. Dongqiudi said on Monday evening that his remarks were "offensive to China and the Chinese people", according to The Hindu.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said words and deeds that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people "will naturally be met with opposition from all sectors of Chinese society", according to BBC World. The Paper reported that CCTV is suspending La Liga matches, and the Global Times reported that its news apps no longer carry content about Mbappé. CCTV has not confirmed the suspension in the sources reviewed.
Jokes about Mao, who died in 1976, are considered disrespectful in China and remain a social taboo. Foreign sports stars who have commented on Taiwan, Tibet or Hong Kong have previously been dropped by sponsors there.
Mbappé and The Bridge have not commented, according to BBC World. The authenticity of the video could not be verified, according to AFP Fact Check via The Hindu, and the original has been removed from The Bridge’s YouTube channel. The sources do not say whether other sponsors will follow or whether Mbappé will respond.
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This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.