The fallout from Kylian Mbappe’s comments about Chinese leader Mao Zedong has widened, with Real Madrid facing accusations in China of applying “double standards” in the way it handled the issue.
The France forward caused widespread anger after referring to Mao, in a joking context, as “the Chinese dictator”. Mbappe later apologised after his remarks triggered a wave of criticism across the country.
The reaction extended beyond the media. Chinese platforms blocked images of the player, while two Chinese companies – isotonic drinks brand Bushuila and dairy producer Mengniu – ended their partnerships with him.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded briefly when asked about Mbappe’s apology.
“I have already answered this question. We appreciate the apology offered by the person concerned,” he said.
The dispute has also affected Spanish football. China partially suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches in the country, prompting Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, to meet the Chinese ambassador to Spain.
Real Madrid response questioned
According to the French outlet Foot Mercato, Chinese state media and government-backed platforms have now directed their criticism at Real Madrid.
They have accused the club of treating Mbappe’s controversy differently from previous incidents of racism involving Vinicius Junior, who has repeatedly received public backing from the Spanish side.
Real Madrid eventually issued a public statement expressing its regret over the affair, but the announcement came 48 hours after the controversy began. Chinese media described that delay as too slow given the sensitivity of the issue in the country.
Those reports contrasted the club’s response with its previous handling of racist abuse aimed at Vinicius. On those occasions, Real Madrid had moved quickly to condemn the incidents, whereas it initially remained silent over the comments involving Mbappe before intervening later.
That difference has led to questions in China over why the club adopted a different approach in the two cases.
According to Marca, Chinese media linked Real Madrid’s delay to an attempt to balance “protecting the commercial value of its leading star” with “the benefits provided by the Chinese market”.
Guangxi News warned that rebuilding trust would not be straightforward. The newspaper said the Spanish club would need to take “concrete measures” to repair the damage.
The criticism places Real Madrid at the centre of a dispute that initially focused on Mbappe, with the club’s timing and public response now under scrutiny in China.
