/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2026/10/30/image-c3d928e9-1608-41d8-8c79-5bf1589d34df-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Chinese State Television Drops La Liga Matches Following Kylian Mbappé Comments on Mao Zedong
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended the broadcast of Spanish league matches after Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé referred to a Chinese dictator in an online video interview, Eurosport reported.
The blackout took effect immediately as CCTV, operated by state media group CMG, omitted Friday’s fixture between Villarreal and Espanyol from its broadcast schedule. According to Agence France-Presse journalists cited by Eurosport, the match remained accessible via Migu, an online streaming platform controlled by state-owned telecommunications operator China Mobile. A second fixture on Saturday between Atlético Madrid and Levante was similarly excluded from CCTV’s lineup, despite La Liga confirming that Chinese state television had previously broadcast every match of the Spanish championship live.
Commercial Fallouts and Digital Removals Across the Chinese Market
The controversy ignited earlier in the week when an interview clip surfaced featuring Mbappé discussing internet memes that superimposed his face onto historical imagery. The forward remarked that he preferred versions associating him with a Chinese dictator, a reference to visual parodies of Mao Zedong. Three major Chinese companies subsequently severed their endorsement contracts with the player before the state broadcaster announced its suspension of La Liga broadcasts, as detailed by RTBF.
🚨 BREAKING: Kylian Mbappé’s 100th Real Madrid goal. pic.twitter.com/38urkIvVNv
The commercial and digital reprisal extended beyond television screens and sponsorship agreements into digital entertainment. Digital publishers including Tencent for FC Online and Konami’s local partners initiated updates to remove Mbappé’s character cards and promotional packs from popular football video games in China, according to RTBF reporting. Players who had invested financial resources to acquire his in-game player items faced losing access following the scheduled inventory purge.
Apologies Issued and Diplomatic Pressure Examined
Faced with mounting commercial isolation and a stalled broadcast partnership in a crucial overseas market, Mbappé published a multilingual statement on social networks in French, English, and Chinese. Franceinfo reported that the forward acknowledged his remarks were clumsy and expressed sincere regret for causing hurt. The player’s club, Real Madrid, subsequently issued a separate statement conveying apologies to the Chinese public, as noted by DHnet.
Analysts examining the diplomatic friction note that the episode highlights the mechanics of economic and informational influence in sports diplomacy. Commentators point out that because Mao Zedong forms a foundational pillar of the official historical narrative maintained by Beijing, challenging that baseline carries immediate commercial and institutional repercussions. Chinese authorities formally acknowledged the player’s apology, stating through diplomatic channels that the state took the regrets seriously.
Real Madrid Manager Responds to Media Scrutiny
Addressing the press ahead of Real Madrid’s domestic fixture in Santander, manager José Mourinho defended his club and player against external pressure. Foot Mercato reported that the Portuguese technician expressed serenity regarding the unfolding situation. Mourinho emphasized that both the club and Mbappé acted swiftly to address the controversy, while characterizing the wider geopolitical friction as an inherent hazard of modern public commentary where maintaining silence is frequently safer.
Mourinho maintained that his focus remains strictly on athletic preparation as the squad navigates its competitive calendar. Real Madrid prepared for Sunday’s league encounter at 16:15 local time without altering its sporting objectives, with the coaching staff insisting that the forward must demonstrate his resilience on the pitch.
Related reading
