BEIJING, Oct 28 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- China appreciates the apology made by Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe for his offensive remarks toward the Chinese people, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
On Tuesday, Mbappe apologised to the Chinese people for his ill-judged comments about internet memes with his image.
"We highly appreciate the apology he has made," Guo told a briefing.
At the same time, the spokesman did not say whether Mbappe's apology would help to ease the boycott by Chinese organisations and Chinese citizens' negative reaction.
Meanwhile, China Media Group (CMG) has confirmed the suspension of broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches and commercials featuring Mbappe, arguing that Real Madrid's apology for the footballer's hurtful remarks toward the Chinese people is insufficient. Restrictions against Mbappe will continue until the club offers a satisfactory apology, the organisation added.
A scandal erupted in China over an interview in which Mbappe reportedly made offensive remarks about China while discussing his favourite internet memes. Western media reported that Mbappe's joke concerned a historical political figure from China. China's largest football news platform, Dongqiudi, refused to translate the interview into Chinese. The footballer's words sparked outrage on Chinese social media, prompting beverage manufacturer Eastroc Beverage and food company Mengniu Dairy to scrap contracts with the football star.
--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA Novosti