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Mbappe-China controversy — State TV doesn’t air first La Liga games since Frenchman’s comments

Chinese broadcaster CCTV skipped La Liga fixtures after Kylian Mbappe remark on Mao Zedong, even as apologies came in from the French forward.

By Sportstar News Desk · Sportstar

Published: Saturday, 31 October 2026 at 4:07 PM

Key Things to Know

Chinese state TV did not broadcast Saturday's La Liga matches following controversial remarks made by Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe described China's late leader Mao Zedong as a dictator in a widely circulated video.
Mbappe, Real Madrid, and La Liga all issued formal apologies following the backlash.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV did not air Saturday's La Liga matches following controversy surrounding Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe. The blackout occurred after a video showed Mbappe referring to China's late leader Mao Zedong as a dictator, prompting China Media Group to suspend broadcasts of Spain's top division.

Despite formal apologies from Mbappe, Real Madrid, and manager Jose Mourinho stating the club did its part to move past the row, CCTV excluded Saturday's games from its schedule. Several major Chinese brands also terminated their sponsorship agreements with Mbappe in the wake of the remarks.

Read the full article on Sportstar

Mbappe-China controversy — State TV doesn’t air first La Liga games since Frenchman’s comments

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