CCTV suspends La Liga broadcasts after Mbappé joke about Mao Zedong
The Chinese state broadcaster did not air a Real Madrid match on Sunday following a controversy involving the striker.
China's state broadcaster, CCTV, did not air a Real Madrid match on Sunday, according to BBC News. This follows a decision by the China Media Group, CCTV's parent organisation, to suspend Spanish football La Liga broadcasts last Tuesday.
The suspension occurred after Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé made remarks regarding a meme that superimposed his face onto a Chinese dictator resembling Mao Zedong. Mbappé, who made the comment on the French talk show The Bridge, later apologised on Tuesday, stating that his remark was poorly judged and that he understood it had caused hurt to people in China and Chinese communities globally.
China Media Group had previously demanded apologies from three parties, describing them as an absolute prerequisite to move past the incident. While the organisation has acknowledged apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid, and La Liga, it has not specified how long the broadcast blackout will continue.
The Chinese foreign ministry said it took the apology from Mbappé seriously. The striker has also reportedly been dropped by several Chinese brands following the backlash.
Real Madrid won their Sunday match against Racing Santander 3-0, with goals scored by Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Yan Diomande.
