China: CFA demands apologies from Mbappé and Real Madrid

The Chinese Football Association contacted the Madrid club, while Mbappé and Javier Tebas have apologized

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China: CFA demands apologies from Mbappé and Real Madrid

The Chinese Football Association is demanding public apologies from Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid in a controversy that has now reached the institutional level.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) has officially addressed Real Madrid regarding comments made by Kylian Mbappé. In a statement published this Tuesday, October 27, it said it had contacted the club and requested public and official apologies from both the French forward and his employer.

The CFA calls for respect in international exchanges

The statement, published on the Federation’s official account and subsequently reported by Chinese media, condemns remarks that could hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. The CFA believes that internationally renowned athletes must express themselves carefully and consider the influence they wield in the public sphere.

The governing body also said it wanted to defend mutual respect through the international football community’s communication platforms. However, its statement does not outline any sporting sanctions: it constitutes a protest and a request for apologies.

Mbappé and Javier Tebas have responded

The captain of the France national team has since apologized to those hurt by his comments. In a message published in French, English and Chinese, he acknowledged that his reaction to an image depicting him was clumsy and said he had not intended to offend anyone.

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, also expressed his regret and apologized to Chinese supporters. The Spanish competition clarified that the player’s individual statements did not represent its position.

Commercial consequences already taking shape

The controversy began with a video in which Mbappé discussed an edited image combining his face with that of a man he described as a Chinese dictator. The sequence was interpreted as a reference to Mao Zedong.

Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground have announced the end of their cooperation with the Frenchman. Restrictions have also affected his accounts on Chinese social media. The CFA’s action thus adds a federation-level dimension to a matter that is already affecting his communications and commercial partnerships. The player’s apology represents a first public response; it does not allow any assumption that these partnerships will be restored.

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