Kylian Mbappé loses Chinese sponsorship deals amid backlash
Chinese dairy producer Mengniu and drinks company Dongpeng have announced the end of their partnerships with Kylian Mbappé amid an escalating backlash over unverified footage allegedly showing the footballer discussing China, reports BritPanorama.
Neither company explicitly linked its decision to the controversial footage. Instead, they issued statements reflecting their commitment to respecting national feelings.
Mengniu declared that it “firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any words or actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.”
Dongpeng echoed this sentiment, stating: “Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments.”
This incident underscores the sensitive nature of branding in international sport, where public perception can swiftly influence business decisions. As the landscape of sponsorship evolves, the intersection between athlete conduct and corporate partnership remains a pivotal arena for examination.
