Mao Zedong controversy: After Mbappé boycott, China targets the French national team

Chinese platform Yangshipin, owned by China Media Group, has reportedly removed several videos of the French national team, including World Cup and European Championship matches and goal compilations. Sources say the archive footage of France’s 1998 and 2018 World Cup victories may also have been affected. The removals are reportedly linked to Kylian Mbappé’s comments on The Bridge, where he called Mao Zedong a “dictator” while reacting to a humorous montage. The controversy has already led to the termination of commercial partnerships with Mbappé and restrictions on Real Madrid content and La Liga broadcasts in China.