ROME (ITALPRESS) – Several Chinese companies, including the beverage group Dongpeng and dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground, have announced the termination of their commercial partnerships with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.

The decision follows the French star’s admission that he finds “memes” comparing him to Mao Zedong amusing.

“The one that made me laugh the most is the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator. I often share it with my friends,” the French ace remarked—a comment that triggered a reaction from his Chinese sponsors and beyond.

The Dongpeng Beverage group, through its main account and that of its “Bu Shui La” brand, issued official statements on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, confirming the immediate end of its business relationship with the player, though it did not specify the exact events that led to this decision.

Furthermore, the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has suspended its coverage of Spain’s La Liga, as well as the broadcast of any matches featuring the Real Madrid forward. In China, satirical depictions of past leaders and prominent figures associated with the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are punishable under laws prohibiting the “defamation of heroes and martyrs.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews