News
Real Madrid isssue apology to China over Kylian Mbappé’s Mao Zedong remarks
Real Madrid has officially apologized to China following controversial comments made by forward Kylian Mbappé referencing Mao Zedong.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 28, 2026, the Spanish club said it deeply respects China and its people.
“Real Madrid C.F. wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort that may have been caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappé,” the club stated.
“Our club holds deep respect for China, its history, its culture, and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid,” the statement added.
The club said it fully associates itself with the public apology already issued by the player and reaffirmed its commitment to respect, coexistence and understanding among cultures.
The controversy originated from Mbappé’s appearance on the French podcast The Bridge, where he was asked about viral memes that superimpose his face onto historical figures.
Referring to one such meme, he said it featured “a Chinese dictator,” while the video displayed an image of Mao Zedong, founder of the People’s Republic of China.
The comments sparked widespread backlash in China, where Mao remains a highly revered figure.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reportedly suspended LaLiga broadcasts in response, while several Chinese companies, including Dongpeng Beverage, Mengniu and Milkground, terminated endorsement deals with the France captain.
Mbappé had earlier issued a personal apology on Tuesday, describing his comment as “ill-judged” and acknowledging that it had hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities worldwide.
LaLiga has also issued an apology over the incident, with President Javier Tebas reportedly meeting the Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, as part of efforts to contain the diplomatic and commercial fallout.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Executive Committee member and Volta River Authority (VRA) Board Member, Wonder Victor Kutor, has described calls for the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa as premature and unjustified.
He argued that there was no evidence to establish that the minister had committed any wrongdoing to warrant such demands.
Speaking on Joy News in Accra on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Mr Kutor questioned what had changed to justify the growing calls for the minister to step down.
He recalled that the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, had earlier indicated that the opposition was not accusing Mr Ablakwa of any wrongdoing.
Mr Kutor, therefore, challenged those demanding the minister’s resignation to provide fresh evidence to support their position.
“The call for the Minister to resign is premature, it is untenable. There is no evidence. I mean, what has he done wrong?” he questioned.
He added that documents, including boarding passes, airline receipts and flight manifests relating to the minister’s return journey, had been provided.
Mr Kutor expressed concern that the calls for Mr Ablakwa’s resignation could discourage young politicians from speaking out against corruption and advocating transparency.
According to him, politicians should not be targeted or maligned for demanding accountability, warning that such treatment could create the impression that speaking against corruption could later become a liability when one is appointed to public office.
He maintained that calling for accountability and transparency should not be used as grounds to target public officials without evidence of wrongdoing.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana will host the Africa Festival of Arts, Culture and Creatives (AFESTAC) 2026 alongside Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA) 2026 in Accra from December 9 to 12, 2026.
On the back of these programmes, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on corporate Ghana, the media and the general public to support the initiative through partnerships, sponsorships and active participation.
The events, supported by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), will bring together stakeholders to celebrate Africa’s rich cultural heritage, strengthen the creative economy, promote industrial skills development and create employment opportunities for young people.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
