State broadcaster CCTV suspended LaLiga broadcasts in China and multiple corporate partners severed ties with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé following online mockery depicting the player as Mao Zedong, according to reports from El Correo and El Español.
State Broadcaster Pulls LaLiga Coverage
Chinese state television network CCTV halted its television broadcasts of Spain’s top-tier football competition on Monday night. According to reporting in El Español, citing the Chinese media outlet The Paper, the suspension also targets commercials and promotional videos featuring the French international. The broadcast blackout does not represent a nationwide ban across all private digital platforms in the country, though major commercial entities immediately distanced themselves from the player.
Sponsors Cut Commercial Ties
Corporate sponsors moved swiftly to terminate their business agreements with the Real Madrid star. Dongpeng Beverage Group announced the immediate cancellation of its commercial contract via Weibo, a step echoed by dairy brands Mengniu and Milkground. Dongpeng Beverage Group announced the end of its commercial relationship with Mbappé from both its main account and that of its Bu Shui La brand. Meanwhile, the digital platform Xiaohongshu—known internationally as RedNote—noted it would review and remove promotional content tied to the forward, clarifying that its formal endorsement contract with the player had already concluded at the end of 2024. Other internet users asked what exactly had been said after business statements did not reproduce the specific episode.
The Interview That Sparked the Crisis
The diplomatic and commercial fallout stems from an appearance by Mbappé on the digital interview program The Bridge. When asked which digital meme had amused him the most, the forward described a satirical montage superimposing his face onto that of a Chinese leader. Although the player did not explicitly utter the name of Mao Zedong during the clip, the broadcast imagery displayed his face over the historical figure’s uniform and body. The remarks gained viral traction after football portal Dongqiudi highlighted the exchange, prompting public backlash across Chinese social platforms where some users reproached the Frenchman for earning income from the domestic market while making observations they considered disrespectful.
China Warns Against Hurting Feelings of Its People
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the controversy when questioned by reporters, issuing a statement warning that words and actions hurting the feelings of the Chinese people face universal rejection across all societal sectors. Historical sensitivities remain acute surrounding Mao Zedong, who proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and ruled until his death in 1976. Under Chinese legal frameworks, public satire targeting historical leaders and party figures is strictly monitored under laws penalizing the defamation of heroes and martyrs.
Unresolved Duration of the Broadcast Blackout
Neither LaLiga nor Real Madrid released official statements addressing the television suspension as of Tuesday, and representatives for The Bridge have not issued a public reply. Broadcasters have not disclosed how long CCTV’s suspension of Spanish football matches will remain in effect or what specific conditions would prompt the network to restore coverage of the competition. There has also been no explanation so far from Real Madrid or LaLiga regarding the consequences of the television suspension.
🚨 Chinese brands drop Mbappe as backlash grows over Mao joke- Mbappe allegedly joked about a "Chinese dictator" meme on a French show- Clip showed his face edited onto an image resembling Mao Zedong- Original video has since been removed from the show's channel- China's… pic.twitter.com/8zW4PwPWaV
More on Mao Zedong
French football star Kylian Mbappé is facing a growing backlash in China over alleged remarks about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.Unverified clips circulating online reportedly show the Real Madrid forward discussing a meme featuring an image resembling Mao, saying he uses… pic.twitter.com/TOgZYcMk8d
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