China's state broadcaster, CCTV, did not air a scheduled Real Madrid football match on Sunday, November 1, following a broadcast suspension triggered by remarks made by striker Kylian Mbappé. The China Media Group (CMG), which manages CCTV, stopped showing Spanish La Liga matches after Mbappé referenced a meme involving the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
The incident began when Mbappé, speaking on the French talk show "The Bridge," identified a meme of his face superimposed on a "Chinese dictator" resembling Mao as one that made him laugh. In response, CMG stated on Tuesday, October 27, that apologies from the player, his club, and the league were an "absolute prerequisite" for moving past the incident. While CMG has acknowledged subsequent apologies, it has not announced when the blackout will end.
Mbappé issued an apology later on Tuesday, October 27, describing his comments as "ill-judged" and stating he understood they "hurt many people in China." Real Madrid and La Liga also issued apologies. Despite the broadcast blackout in China, Real Madrid played Racing Santander on Sunday, November 1, winning 3-0 with goals from Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Yan Diomande.
The incident mirrors a previous 2019 incident where China pulled NBA games for one year after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of Hong Kong protesters. This indicates that even high-profile athletes and organizations face potential loss of media access and commercial revenue in the region when state standards are not met.
The duration of the current blackout remains unknown, as CMG has not commented on a return date. Beyond the loss of television viewership, the incident has immediate consequences for Mbappé as several Chinese brands have already severed ties with him. The Chinese foreign ministry previously stated it took the apologies "seriously."