China Keeps Real Madrid Off Television Despite Mbappé’s Apology

China’s state broadcaster has continued its suspension of Spanish football coverage involving Real Madrid following a controversy surrounding French football superstar Kylian Mbappé and comments he made about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

The broadcaster, China Central Television (CCTV), did not show Real Madrid’s La Liga encounter against Racing Santander on Sunday, 1 November 2026, despite apologies issued by Mbappé, Real Madrid and the Spanish football league.

The match, which kicked off at 15:15 GMT, was absent from both of CCTV’s sports channels. The decision has raised fresh questions about the future of Spanish football broadcasting in one of the sport’s biggest international markets.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé faces backlash in China following controversial remarks.

How the Controversy Started

The dispute began after a video featuring Mbappé circulated widely online. In the clip, the French international discussed an internet meme showing his face superimposed onto the image of a Chinese dictator, apparently referring to Mao Zedong.

The remark triggered considerable criticism in China, where Mao remains a highly sensitive historical and political figure.

Mbappé subsequently acknowledged that his comment was poorly judged and apologised, saying he understood that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world.

Real Madrid players during their La Liga encounter against Racing Santander.

China Demands Apologies

China Media Group (CMG), the organisation overseeing CCTV, had announced a suspension of La Liga broadcasts following the controversy.

The organisation indicated that apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga were necessary before the situation could move forward.

All three parties subsequently issued apologies. China’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that it took Mbappé’s apology seriously.

However, the broadcaster has not announced when regular coverage of the Spanish league will resume.

China’s state broadcaster CCTV, which did not air the Real Madrid fixture.

Real Madrid Still Secures Victory

Despite the controversy surrounding the club, Real Madrid went on to defeat Racing Santander 3-0 in Sunday’s fixture.

Mbappé opened the scoring, while Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande also found the back of the net to complete the victory.

The match result, however, did little to resolve the broadcasting dispute, as CCTV maintained its decision not to show the game.

Mao Zedong’s historical legacy remains politically sensitive in China.

Commercial Fallout for Mbappé

The controversy has also affected Mbappé’s commercial relationships in China. Several major Chinese companies reportedly ended their sponsorship partnerships with the footballer following the backlash.

China represents an important market for international football, making the dispute potentially significant for Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga.

The situation has drawn comparisons with China’s 2019 suspension of NBA broadcasts after comments by a Houston Rockets executive supporting Hong Kong protesters.

Real Madrid secured victory despite the controversy surrounding the club.

What Happens Next?

It remains uncertain how long the broadcasting restrictions will continue. Although CMG has acknowledged the apologies, there has been no clear announcement confirming when La Liga coverage will return to Chinese state television.

For now, the incident highlights how comments made by internationally recognised athletes can have consequences extending beyond the sporting arena, particularly in markets where political and cultural sensitivities carry significant commercial weight.