France football chief backs Mbappe after China apology

Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, said Kylian Mbappe should be allowed to move on after calling former Chinese leader Mao Zedong a dictator. Diallo said the France captain had explained the context of his remark, apologised and intended no offence. Real Madrid and La Liga have also apologised, while league president Javier Tebas met China’s ambassador to Spain and established a crisis unit. In China, state broadcaster Migu will not show Real Madrid’s upcoming match, and several brands have ended their partnerships with Mbappe.