Tebas holds talks with Chinese ambassador after Mbappe controversy

La Liga president Javier Tebas has met China’s ambassador to Spain in an attempt to ease a diplomatic and commercial dispute involving Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe.

The controversy followed the circulation of a video in which Mbappe appeared to joke about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The footage prompted widespread anger in China, with the France international accused of insulting national sentiment and crossing accepted boundaries in his treatment of an important historical figure.

The situation escalated after broadcasts of La Liga matches in China were suspended, threatening a significant financial loss for the Spanish league.

Tebas issued an apology to China only hours after the dispute began. He has now held further discussions with the Chinese ambassador to Spain in an effort to prevent the row from damaging La Liga’s long-standing relationship with the country.

“Today I met with the Chinese ambassador to Spain to discuss the situation arising from Kylian Mbappe’s comments and to explore ways of moving beyond this incident,” Tebas wrote on X.

“Over the past several years, La Liga has worked closely with the Chinese authorities, football governing bodies, broadcasters and companies to promote the growth and popularity of Spanish football in China, while also contributing to the development of Chinese football by sharing our expertise and resources.”

Tebas said he hoped existing agreements between the two countries would continue successfully, including La Liga’s strategic partnership with the Chinese Professional Football League, which runs until 2029.

He also referred to agreements with China Media Group (CMG), as well as other joint projects designed to support Chinese football and introduce La Liga competitions to millions of fans.

“We hope our cooperation agreements, particularly the strategic agreement with the Chinese Professional Football League extending until 2029, and the agreements with China Media Group (CMG), alongside other joint projects, will continue to achieve success and contribute to the growth of Chinese football while bringing our competitions to millions of fans,” he added.

The La Liga president said the relationship was founded on mutual respect, trust and cooperation, and insisted that both sides had a responsibility to protect it.

“This is a relationship built on mutual respect, trust and cooperation, and we must continue to preserve and strengthen it,” Tebas said.

“We are committed to continuing to work together to ensure that an isolated incident does not jeopardise the significant progress we have made or affect the millions of Chinese fans who follow our competitions.”

He concluded: “China is a strategic partner for La Liga and will remain so.”