China Removes French National Team Videos Amid Mao Zedong Controversy

The controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappé's comments on Mao Zedong has taken a new turn, with China removing several videos of French national team matches from the Yangshipin platform. According to sources, the platform, owned by China Central Media Group (CMG), has taken down videos of recent matches, including those played during the World Cup and European Championship. Compilations of goals were also removed. The move is seen as a reaction to Mbappé's comments on Mao Zedong, which sparked widespread criticism in China.

The removal of the videos is not limited to recent matches, but also includes archives of older competitions, such as the World Cups won by France in 1998 and 2018. This development has sparked concerns about the impact of the controversy on the French national team's presence in China. The incident began when Mbappé appeared on an episode of The Bridge, where he reacted to a humorous montage depicting him as Mao Zedong, using the term "dictator". The comments sparked a backlash, leading to the termination of several commercial partnerships with the player.

The controversy has also had repercussions for the Real Madrid, with contents related to the team being removed from certain platforms, and the broadcast of Spanish championship matches being affected. The situation has sparked concerns about the impact of the controversy on the sports world. According to sources, the removal of the French national team videos from Yangshipin is a new development in this saga.

The Chinese government's reaction to Mbappé's comments has been seen as a strong response, with some analysts suggesting that it reflects the country's sensitivity to criticism of its historical figures. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the intersection of sports and politics. The French national team's matches have been popular in China, and the removal of the videos is likely to be seen as a disappointment by fans.

The Yangshipin platform is a major online video platform in China, and the removal of the French national team videos is likely to have a significant impact on the team's visibility in the country. According to sources, the platform has taken down several contents related to the French national team, including match highlights and analysis programs.

The incident has sparked concerns about the impact of the controversy on the French national team's commercial partnerships and its reputation in China. The team's sponsors and partners are likely to be monitoring the situation closely, as the team's popularity and visibility in China are important for their brand.

The controversy surrounding Mbappé's comments on Mao Zedong has sparked a wider debate about the role of athletes in public discourse. The incident has highlighted the challenges of navigating cultural and historical sensitivities in a globalized sports landscape. The situation is likely to continue to unfold in the coming days, with potential implications for the French national team and Mbappé's career.

Key points

• China removes French national team videos from Yangshipin platform amid controversy sparked by Kylian Mbappé's comments on Mao Zedong.