Chinese state media has pulled Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Racing Santander from broadcast after Kylian Mbappé’s controversial joke about Mao Zedong, despite his subsequent apology. The French striker faced backlash in China after a French TV appearance where he humorously referenced a meme superimposing his face onto a figure resembling the late Chinese leader, a remark deemed deeply offensive in a country where Mao’s legacy remains sacrosanct.
Though Mbappé, Real Madrid, and La Liga all issued apologies—with Mbappé calling his comment "ill-judged"—state broadcaster CCTV’s parent company, China Media Group (CMG), refused to reinstate coverage, insisting on further assurances. The fallout has extended beyond airtime, as Chinese brands have dropped sponsorship deals with Mbappé, while Spanish football officials scrambled to contain the diplomatic damage, including league president Javier Tebas meeting China’s ambassador in Madrid.
The match itself ended in a 3-0 win for Real Madrid, with Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Yan Diomande on the scoresheet, but the broader dispute underscores the delicate balance between global sports stars and geopolitical sensitivities.
The suspension highlights the growing influence of Chinese state media in shaping access to European football, with CCTV typically airing Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Serie A games. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho acknowledged the risks of public statements in today’s interconnected world, though he praised Mbappé’s handling of the crisis.
Meanwhile, Chinese officials have yet to signal when—or if—broadcasts of La Liga will resume, leaving the future of the league’s visibility in the country uncertain.
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