Chinese sports brands Anta and Li-Ning have dropped their endorsement deals with French football sensation Kylian Mbappé, following a video that appeared to show him joking about China’s founding leader, Mao Zedong. The video, which has since gone viral on Chinese social media, has sparked a backlash against the footballer, with many Chinese internet users viewing the joke as disrespectful.
According to multiple sources, the two brands, Anta and Li-Ning, have terminated their contracts with Mbappé, citing the need to uphold their corporate values and respect for Chinese culture.
Mbappé, who is currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain, has not yet commented on the incident. However, it is not the first time that a sports personality has faced backlash in China for perceived cultural insensitivity. In 2018, American basketball player Enes Kanter was denied entry into the country due to his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government.
The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding Mao Zedong in China, where jokes about the former leader remain a social taboo. Mao, who led the Communist Party to power in 1949 and died in 1976, is still widely revered by the Chinese government and many Chinese citizens.
This latest development comes at a time when China is seeking to boost its influence in global sports, with the upcoming Winter Olympics set to take place in Beijing in 2022. The Chinese government has been investing heavily in sports, with the aim of producing more world-class athletes and hosting major international events.
Sources:
– Nigeria Abuja, Google News (https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxNWWpsSGdpUWJZOXllSUxKNVluRlBHWE9WakpYOVQxUWYzLXV6RFlnTkVsOGhoRTlBYVJ2dUJwTXpUV3hhMDdPeVB4Y0FtME9yREIzMWVWUTF6dUtPa1hCNTFGRTVLQjU5dWhHWWxia1U0RTlIdU5QWktaQW5icGhmLUZzcjRCM3JFSnZUYkM5S1l5T0ZHQTBSU2I5eE1DSEE)
– Punch Newspapers (https://punchng.com/chinese-brands-drop-mbappe-over-alleged-mao-zedong-joke/)
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