Real Madrid have issued a grovelling apology to “the Chinese people” in a bid to soothe the diplomatic row caused by star Kylian Mbappe’s “dictator” remarks about Mao Zedong.

Chinese media have confirmed they are suspending their £20m-a-year broadcast deal with the Spanish league after rejecting apologies from both Mbappe and LaLiga yesterday.

Mbappe sparked outrage by saying he enjoyed a meme of him depicted as the late Chairman Mao, the founder of modern China, who he referred to as “a guy… I think he was a Chinese dictator”.

Now Real Madrid have publicly expressed their contrition over a row which has also cost the France striker multiple personal sponsorship deals with Chinese brands.

“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 Mbappe,” the club said.

“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 club joins the public apology expressed by Kylian Mbappe, in which the player himself has conveyed his regret for his words and reiterated his respect for the Chinese people.

“Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to the values of respect, coexistence, and understanding among cultures, and expresses its desire to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and affection that unite it with China and its citizens.”

Mao remains widely revered in China despite his legacy of authoritarian rule and industrialisation which led to a famine that killed an estimated 30m people.

Mbappe and LaLiga apologies fail to fix Mao row

It comes after Mbappe’s own statement of contrition on Tuesday failed to mend relations with the world’s second most populous country.  

“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,” the 27-year-old said.

“I apologise to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”

LaLiga, which runs the top two divisions of professional football in Spain, also said it deeply regretted “the dissatisfaction and offense caused in China” by Mbappe’s comments. 

“We understand the harm caused by these remarks. On behalf of LaLiga, I extend our sincere apologies to the Chinese people,” said LaLiga president Javier Tebas.

Tebas also held a meeting with the Chinese ambassador to Spain, after which he posted on social media: “China is and will continue to be a strategic partner for LaLiga”. 

LaLiga’s broadcast deals in China are reported to be worth up to £20m a year and much more in exposure for its clubs and commercial partners to a population of 1.4bn.

The NBA suffered a financial hit estimated by commissioner Adam Silver to run into hundreds of millions of dollars after a similar diplomatic row with China that took years to resolve.

Drinks maker Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and cheese manufacturer Milkground all announced they were dropping sponsorship deals with Mbappe on Tuesday.

Real Madrid, the world’s richest club, has an official partnership with Chinese vacuum cleaner brand Roborock that began earlier this year and is due to run until 2028.