Real Madrid remains off Chinese state TV after Mbappe comments on Mao

Chinese state television did not broadcast Real Madrid’s Spanish league match against Racing Santander on Sunday, as the fallout from Kylian Mbappe’s comments about Mao Zedong continued. Neither of CCTV’s two sports channels showed the fixture, which began at 15:15 GMT, according to AFP. No other La Liga match from matchweek 11 had been carried live on public television by the time of publication.

The controversy stems from an April video that recently spread online. Asked about the funniest internet meme he had seen of himself, Mbappe described an image showing his face superimposed on someone he called a Chinese dictator. The description appeared to refer to a meme depicting him as Mao, China’s former leader.

China Media Group, the organisation that oversees CCTV, announced on October 26 that it had suspended broadcasts of La Liga. It said apologies from Mbappe, Real Madrid and the Spanish league were “an absolute prerequisite” for resolving the dispute. All three subsequently apologised, with Mbappe describing his remarks as “ill-judged” and La Liga expressing deep regret.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it took Mbappe’s apology “seriously”. CCTV’s sports website also reported that China Media Group had acknowledged the apologies, although it remained unclear whether discussions aimed at settling the controversy had started. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said on Saturday that the club had “done our part” to move beyond the dispute. Al Jazeera sought comment from La Liga but had received no reply by publication.

Some Spanish league coverage remained available through Migu, the digital streaming platform owned by state-owned telecommunications company China Mobile, according to reports. Its broadcasts included Barcelona’s 6-1 victory over Alaves on Saturday. However, the Racing Santander match against Real Madrid did not appear to have been shown on the service.

The dispute affects access to a league followed by millions in China, a major market for European football. CCTV also broadcasts games from the English Premier League and the leading leagues in Germany, France and Italy. Major Chinese brands cancelled sponsorship agreements with Mbappe following his comments. Jokes about Mao are taboo in China. He died in 1976, and historians blame his policies for mass starvation and millions of deaths.

Other international sports organisations and players have faced repercussions over statements involving subjects considered politically sensitive in China. From 2019, China effectively severed ties with the NBA for several years after Daryl Morey, then general manager of the Houston Rockets, posted support for Hong Kong protesters.