SocietyMbappé’s China ‘own goal’: Why did a Mao joke provoke outrage?

Kylian Mbappé indirectly and jokingly referred in an interview to a meme about Mao Zedong, calling him a “dictator.” Sponsors distanced themselves, Chinese state media stopped broadcasting La Liga, and Mbappé, his club and the league later apologized. The report examines why celebrities and brands cross China’s political red lines and whether apologies can calm the costly controversy.