The controversy stems from an exchange where the footballer was asked about his favourite meme. In his response, Mbappe referenced a video depicting a man he identified as a Chinese dictator, which featured his own face superimposed onto an image of Mao Zedong. The player’s remarks drew immediate criticism, leading to the termination of several partnerships with Chinese brands and the suspension of Spanish league football broadcasts within the country.
Konami Confirms Removal of Mbappe Content
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Konami announced that it had taken decisive action to address the situation. The developer confirmed that all promotional material featuring the 2018 World Cup winner has been suspended across its gaming platforms in China. Furthermore, the company has ceased the production of any new player items, character cards, or related digital content for the Chinese versions of eFootball, eFootball Online, and eFootball: King of Collectibles.
Addressing the reasoning behind the move, the developer stated that the player’s comments had caused offense. The company emphasized that while sports are intended to transcend national borders, the principle of respect remains paramount. Konami indicated that further measures regarding the situation may be announced in the future, though no specific details were provided at this time.
The fallout for the French international continues to grow as the sporting and commercial consequences of his statements unfold. While Konami has moved to scrub the player from its regional titles, reports suggest that other gaming entities, including the rival EA FC franchise, are also evaluating their position regarding the inclusion of Mbappe-related content in their Chinese versions.
