Mbappe dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’

On Tuesday, French football star Kylian Mbappe was dropped by two major Chinese brands, drinks giant Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu, terminating all cooperation with immediate effect. The decision came after a video circulated online showing the player apparently joking about Mao Zedong, China's founding leader who died in 1976.

The swift commercial fallout stems from the cultural and political sensitivity surrounding Mao in China, where jokes about the former leader are strictly considered disrespectful. By reacting to the perceived offense against national sentiments, the corporate sponsors cut ties to distance themselves from the controversy.