COMPANIES END COOPERATION WITH MBAPPE OVER CONTROVERSIAL COMMENT

BEIJING, OCTOBER 27 /SRNA/ - Major brands in China have ended their partnerships with French football star Kylian Mbappe over his comments about Mao Zedong, Politico reports.

In a video posted on X, Mbappe, talking about internet memes featuring his face, said his favorite was one in which his face had been edited onto the image of "Chinese dictator Mao Zedong".

In China, jokes about Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, are regarded as disrespectful.

Soft drink maker Dongpeng and dairy giant Mengniu announced today that they were ending their agreements with the French footballer, although neither company cited the controversial video as the reason.

Dongpeng's statement said the company firmly opposes, and has zero tolerance for, any behavior that hurts national feelings.

Mengniu said it was ending all cooperation with Kylian Mbappe.

China Central Television - CCTV has suspended broadcasts of Spain's La Liga matches.

Mbappe plays for Spanish club Real Madrid.