China’s Foreign Affairs Minister is taking Kylian Mbappé’s (27) apology “seriously”, a spokesperson has said. It comes after the France captain referred to Mao Zedong, the country’s former chairman, as a “dictator” in a clip from The Bridge.

The clip, which began circulating late on Monday, when Mbappé was present at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, has caused significant backlash in China. Three sponsors have pulled out of their contracts with the Frenchman, whilst there also exists the threat of La Liga games in which he participates not being broadcast in China.

That threat elicited a swift response from La Liga, which distanced itself from the remarks, whilst also apologising. Mbappé also made a public apology through his social media platforms soon after. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Affairs Minister, has responded to the controversy: “We are taking his apology seriously,” he said.

The body had initially been highly critical of Mbappé’s comments. On Wednesday, Real Madrid also released their own apology.