Mbappe apologizes as Chinese sponsors drop him and TV broadcasts are halted over Mao dictator remark

BREAKING: Kylian Mbappe apologizes after appearing to call Mao Zedong a dictator, as three Chinese sponsors drop him and state television suspends La Liga broadcasts.

Kylian Mbappe just lost three Chinese sponsors over one sentence about a meme.

The France striker was filmed before a talk show, and you can see him here, describing his favourite internet meme of himself. His face superimposed on, in his words, some guy, I think he's a Chinese dictator. That guy was Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic, and in China, calling him a dictator is a line you do not cross.

The reaction was fast. Beverage giant Dongpeng, dairy producer Mengniu and cheesemaker Milkground all dropped him with near identical statements. Chinese state television suspended La Liga broadcasts entirely, so Real Madrid matches are off air in one of football's biggest markets. Mbappe apologised, saying his comment was ill-judged and he has deep respect for the Chinese people.

CCTV says it will consider the apology, but it will also judge his future actions. One offhand line, and a whole league is paying for it.

This is Sara White, reporting for HIT.