Sports
CCTV Blocks Real Madrid Match Amid Fallout From Mbappé’s Mao Comment
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV did not air Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Racing Santander on Sunday, following the league’s decision to suspend broadcasts after Kylian Mbappé referred to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a “dictator” in a viral video. The match, which began at 15:15 GMT, was not shown on either of CCTV’s two sports channels, according to AFP. No other match from matchweek 11 of La Liga has been broadcast live on public television. Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga issued apologies for the remarks, and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it took the apology “seriously.” The China Media Group, which oversees CCTV, had announced on 26 October that La Liga broadcasts would be suspended until the parties apologized, a condition it said was an “absolute prerequisite” for resuming coverage. La Liga matches are still available on Migu, a digital streaming service owned by China Mobile; the Barcelona‑Alaves game was shown, but the Real Madrid‑Racing Santander match was not. The incident follows a broader pattern of Chinese backlash against comments deemed politically sensitive, including the NBA’s temporary suspension of ties with the United States in 2019 after a tweet by Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey. Real Madrid coach José Mourinho said the club had “done our part” to move past the controversy.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the Real Madrid vs Racing Santander match not broadcast on CCTV?
CCTV suspended La Liga broadcasts after Mbappé referred to Mao Zedong as a dictator, so the match was not shown on CCTV’s sports channels.
Are La Liga matches still available in China?
Yes, La Liga matches are still available on Migu, a digital streaming service owned by China Mobile; the Barcelona‑Alaves game was shown, but the Real Madrid‑Racing Santander match was not.