La Liga games dropped from Chinese broadcasts after Mbappé’s Mao remarks
CCTV did not show two matches, while the Migu streaming platform removed a scheduled Real Madrid game.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV left two La Liga fixtures off air following controversy over Kylian Mbappé’s comments about Mao Zedong. The games involved Villarreal against Espanyol and Atlético Madrid against Levante.
Viewers could still watch Villarreal play Espanyol on Migu, a streaming service associated with state-owned China Mobile. However, Migu subsequently dropped Real Madrid’s scheduled match from its platform. La Liga told AFP that viewers in China had previously been able to watch its games live.
The dispute stemmed from a video in which the Real Madrid forward discussed memes likening him to a Chinese dictator, referring to Mao. La Liga criticized the comments, and Mbappé issued an apology.
China’s Foreign Ministry said it regarded the apology seriously. It added that whether the apology would allow Mbappé to recover lost brand agreements or other business remained uncertain. The ministry’s comments followed Beijing’s statement that it was treating the matter seriously.
