Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has refused to air Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Racing Santander despite an apology from French football star Kylian Mbappé over controversial remarks concerning former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
The blackout continued on Sunday as Real Madrid secured a 3–0 victory over Racing Santander, with Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande scoring for the Spanish giants.
The controversy began after a video from a French talk show, The Bridge, circulated online, showing Mbappé discussing a meme featuring his face superimposed on the image of a Chinese leader whom he described as a dictator. The remark was widely interpreted as referring to Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.
The comments triggered outrage in China, where Mao remains a highly sensitive historical and political figure.
Mbappé subsequently apologised, admitting that his remarks were ill-judged and acknowledging that they had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.
Real Madrid and La Liga also issued apologies in an attempt to contain the fallout. China’s foreign ministry said it took the footballer’s apology seriously.
However, China Media Group, which oversees CCTV, had already announced the suspension of La Liga broadcasts, describing apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid and the league as essential to resolving the dispute.
Although the broadcaster has acknowledged the apologies, it has yet to announce when coverage of the Spanish league will resume.
The controversy has also affected Mbappé’s commercial interests, with several Chinese companies reportedly ending promotional partnerships with the France international.
The dispute highlights the commercial risks facing international sports stars and organisations when their public comments clash with political and cultural sensitivities in major markets.
A similar situation occurred in 2019 when Chinese broadcasters suspended NBA coverage following a social media post by then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressing support for Hong Kong protesters.
For now, Mbappé’s apology has not been enough to restore Real Madrid’s television exposure in China, leaving the future of La Liga broadcasts in the country uncertain.
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