The President of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, considered that the controversy raised by star Kylian Mbappé’s statements regarding Chinese leader Mao Zedong was “a bit exaggerated,” defending the French leader, in an interview he conducted, Thursday, with the newspaper “Ouest France.”
Diallo said, in response to the newspaper’s question about the criticism that came from China against the backdrop of Mbappe’s statements in one of the “podcast” programs, in which he described Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a “dictator,” without explicitly mentioning his name: “I have seen this controversy, and I think it is somewhat exaggerated.”
The French Federation President added: “I do not think that Kylian intended, in any way, to insult the image of one of the Chinese leaders, or to insult the Chinese people or hurt their feelings. I believe that this controversy should not continue, and I hope at least that it will not last long.”
Diallo's statements come at a time when Mbappe lost three of his Chinese sponsors, following the spread of the video clip, which sparked a widespread wave of controversy.
The President of the French Federation also pointed out that the Real Madrid star had previously apologized, saying: “I think Kylian explained very well the context in which his statements came, and I believe that this matter should be put to an end, now, so that he can continue his season in the best conditions.”
Real Madrid and the Spanish League also apologized for Mbappe's statements.
On the other hand, China Media Group, the state media organization that supervises Chinese state television CCTV, announced the suspension of broadcasting Spanish League matches.
Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina, ranked first in the world, ensured ending the current year at the top of the World Rankings of the Women's Professional Players Association (WTA), after defeating her compatriot Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3 in the Tokyo Tennis Tournament, on Thursday.
Rybakina rose to first place in the world rankings for the first time in her career last month by winning the US Open, displacing Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka from the top.
Rybakina will start 2027 on top after a comfortable opening match in Tokyo, in which she knocked out Putintseva, ranked 67th in the world, in 70 minutes.
The Kazakh also won the Australian Open in January, raising her tally in Grand Slam tournaments to three titles.
The 27-year-old has also secured her seat in the final tournament of the Women's Professional Players Association (WTA) next month in Indian Wells.
Rybakina arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title last week this season at the Ningbo Open in China.
She hit six aces against Putintseva, saving the only break ball she faced.
In the quarter-finals, Rybakina will meet Canadian Laila Fernandez, who won over Belgian Elise Mertens, seeded fifth, 6-2, 7-6 (10-8).
The next confrontation will be revenge for Fernandez, who lost to Rybakina in the final of the Ningbo tournament.
As for Japanese Naomi Osaka, ranked 18th in the world, she was eliminated from Tokyo in the quarter-finals by losing to the young Slovakian Mia Bohankova (144) with a score of 3-6 and 5-7.
Osaka, the winner of four Grand Slam titles, did not win any title this year, and has not reached the final of a major tournament since her return to the tennis courts after a 15-month absence following the birth of her daughter, Shay, in 2023.
The former world number one said that she will continue to “try” to return to the best level with which she won major tournaments, after her season ended with a second-round exit in Japan on Thursday.
The 29-year-old added that she is “at peace” with herself and feels good about her game.
She continued: “But if you ask me how I see my level of tennis, I think it is very good.”
Osaka participated in the Pan Pacific Open tournament for the first time in four years.
She took to the court wearing a red kimono-style dress with a long ruffled train.
Osaka is known for grabbing headlines with her bold, custom-made fashions.
Osaka started the match with an ace, but Bohankova, the former Wimbledon junior women's champion, quickly turned the tables on her.
The Slovakian, who says she grew up watching Osaka, broke her opponent three times to take the first set and continued the momentum to win the match.
Bohankova hit seven aces, and Osaka said, “It is difficult to play against a player I know nothing about.”
She said: “It's a little difficult, but I also remember when I was in her position and I was playing against players I was watching on TV.”
During periods of last season, Brazilian Estévao was described as one of the most promising young talents in the world of football, after his strong start with the English football team, Chelsea.
But now, in light of the change in the technical staff, the young player (19 years old) rarely participates in the starting lineup of the London club.
Questions were directed to Chelsea coach, the Spanish Xabi Alonso, about the reasons for his continued exclusion of Estevao, especially after keeping him on the bench throughout the match that the team lost to Liverpool on penalties in the English League Cup (Carabao Cup) yesterday (Wednesday).
Estevao did not participate in any starting match in the English Premier League this season, as his only starting appearances were limited to the first rounds of the League Cup, especially since Chelsea is not participating in any European competitions this season.
Speaking about Estevao, Alonso said: “I understand his situation, and he certainly could have been happier. Every player wants to participate and be an effective part of the team. The right opportunities will come at the right time, and I am certain that he will get his chance. This is my responsibility, and we must deal with the matter.”
The Chelsea coach added: “We know that the season is long, and everyone will have opportunities. “Believe me, Estevao will do his part.”
Returning to this time last season, Estevao was demonstrating the reasons that prompted Chelsea to sign him from the Brazilian club Palmeiras for 34 million euros (about 37.5 million dollars), as he presented an exciting performance on the wing, culminating in scoring an amazing goal against Barcelona in the Champions League.
However, his first season at Stamford Bridge ended early. Last April, he suffered a hamstring injury, which prevented him from participating with the Brazilian national team in the last World Cup, despite expectations that he would join the team roster under the leadership of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.
In the break between the two seasons, Chelsea signed Alonso to permanently replace Liam Rosenor, and since then Alonso has given Estevao only a few last-minute substitute appearances in the Premier League.
During the team's match against Liverpool yesterday (Wednesday), Chelsea fans traveling with the team spent most of the match chanting Estevao's name.
For his part, Alonso pointed out the intense nature of the match, explaining that he had to make certain substitutions due to players such as Maxence Lacroix and Moises Caicedo being injured.
It is noteworthy that the only goal that Estévão scored this season came in a Brazilian national team shirt, during the victory over India in early October.
