China has suspended broadcasts of Spain’s La Liga after a controversial video involving Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé triggered a backlash over remarks about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, escalating a dispute that now threatens the football competition’s access to a major international audience.
China Media Group (CMG), the state-owned organisation overseeing public broadcaster CCTV, announced the suspension on Tuesday, October 27, despite apologies from Mbappé and La Liga.
The decision has raised the stakes for the Spanish competition and the French captain, whose comments have also reportedly cost him commercial support from Chinese brands.
The controversy centres on a viral video in which Mbappé appears to discuss an internet meme featuring his face superimposed on that of Mao, who led China until his death in 1976. The authenticity of the footage had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.
However, the video has provoked a strong reaction because references to Mao remain politically sensitive in China, where criticism or mockery of the former leader can carry implications beyond ordinary celebrity controversy.
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Mbappé apologises as backlash deepens
Mbappé acknowledged that his remarks had offended Chinese supporters and Chinese communities around the world.
“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” he said in a statement issued in French, Chinese and English.
La Liga also apologised over the controversy, clarifying that the footballer’s comments were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the organisation.
The apologies have not immediately resolved the dispute. CMG reportedly announced the suspension before the statements were issued and demanded an apology from Real Madrid, describing it as an “absolute prerequisite” for further discussions.
That demand places the Spanish club in a difficult position. Although the remarks were attributed to Mbappé personally, the broadcaster wants a response from the institution with which the player is associated.
Why a joke about Mao carries political weight
Mao remains a central figure in China’s official history as the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. His legacy, however, is deeply contested because policies pursued under his leadership, particularly the Great Leap Forward, contributed to a devastating famine that killed tens of millions of people.
His place in China’s political history makes public references to him particularly sensitive. A joke that might be treated as casual internet humour elsewhere can provoke a different reaction in a country where the former leader retains considerable symbolic significance.
The incident demonstrates how online content can cross cultural and political boundaries, turning a seemingly personal remark into an international dispute involving sports broadcasting and commercial interests.
Chinese brands add to Mbappé’s troubles
The fallout has also affected Mbappé’s commercial relationships. Dongpeng, a major Chinese beverage company, was among the brands reportedly to have dropped the footballer following the controversy.
The reported withdrawals highlight the commercial risks facing international sports stars whose public images are closely tied to sponsorship agreements. A controversy in one market can threaten relationships with companies that depend on public approval and cultural sensitivity.
La Liga could also face consequences if the suspension persists. Losing access to Chinese viewers would reduce the competition’s visibility in a significant international market, although the financial impact will depend on the duration of the blackout and the terms of any broadcast agreements.
Neither the duration of the suspension nor the conditions for restoring broadcasts had been established in the report.
Mbappé has apologised, and La Liga has distanced itself from his remarks. Whether those steps will satisfy Chinese authorities, however, remains uncertain. The dispute now hinges partly on Real Madrid’s response and whether the parties can prevent a viral video from becoming a prolonged commercial and broadcasting crisis.
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