UPDATE 4 - Mbappe, LaLiga chief apologize to Chinese fans over Mao remarks

ADDS CHINESE TELEVISION SUSPENSION OF BROADCAST OF LA LIGA MATCHES, CHANGES DECK, LEDE

By Saadet Gokce, Seyma Erkul Dayanc and Beyza Binnur Donmez

ISTANBUL / GENEVA (AA) - Spanish football league LaLiga apologized Tuesday to Chinese fans for Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe's remarks about a meme depicting him as Chinese leader Mao Zedong, prompting Chinese brands to end partnerships with the French footballer, and state television suspending broadcast of club matches.

The move followed the circulation of a video in which Mbappe appears to say that his favorite meme is "the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator (Mao Zedong)," adding that it makes him laugh and that he shares it with friends.

In a statement, LaLiga expressed "regret" over the offense caused, stressing that Mbappe's comments were personal and did not represent the league.

"I wish to personally apologize to Chinese fans for the offense caused," LaLiga President Javier Tebas said.

Tebas emphasized his respect for China and pledged to work with clubs and players to strengthen cultural awareness.

"We want to nurture this relationship through action, and we will implement concrete measures to help ensure that situations like this do not happen again," he said.

This commitment, according to the president, will take shape in an awareness and communication protocol that we will develop together with the clubs and players, and it would complement the league's ongoing efforts with partners and institutional counterparts in China to address the controversy.

- Mbappe extends apology

Mbappe apologized on Tuesday, saying his comment was "ill-judged" and acknowledging that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.

"I apologize to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry," Mbappe said in a statement.

Chinese public broadcaster CCTV suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches following remarks by the Real Madrid star, state-owned China Media Group (CMG) announced Tuesday.

CMG, which oversees CCTV, said it suspended the broadcast of the matches, as well as advertisements involving the French player.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun also weighed in on the issue.

"Words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will naturally be met with joint resistance from all sectors of Chinese society," Guo told reporters in Beijing, according to an official transcript of his news briefing.

Dongpeng Beverage Group announced Tuesday that it was terminating its contract with Mbappe, according to Shanghai-based news outlet Guancha.

The company said it firmly opposed and had "zero tolerance" for behavior that hurts national sentiments.

Mbappe was the face of Bushuila, Dongpeng's electrolyte drink brand.

Chinese football platform Dongqiudi said late Monday that Mbappe had made inappropriate remarks about China in a recent interview, which “hurt the feelings of China and the Chinese people.”

Mengniu, one of China's largest dairy producers, has also ended its cooperation with Mbappe over the issue, saying that the company does not tolerate "words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," according to Jimu News.

Amir Latif Arain