Xiake Island, a commentary account affiliated with the People’s Daily Overseas Edition, said Kylian Mbappé’s apology over his Mao Zedong remarks is merely a first step in rebuilding trust and demanded that the striker and Real Madrid face consequences “making these costs great enough to serve as a deterrent.” The Oct 30 commentary cited Arsenal’s sidelining of Mesut Özil as a “cautionary tale” and concluded that Mbappé’s commercial prospects in China are essentially over.
Chinese public television did not air Spanish league matches over the weekend following the suspension of La Liga broadcasts. French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo said Mbappé should be allowed to move on after apologizing, while manager Jose Mourinho said the backlash “highlights the dangers of today’s world, where often the best thing to do is to keep your mouth shut” and added that Mbappé and his club had acted “very responsibly.”