The controversy erupted after Kylian Mbappé mentioned on a French talk show that his favorite meme depicted his face edited onto a leader resembling Mao Zedong. Following state backlash, the French forward admitted his comments were ill-judged, prompting subsequent apologies from Real Madrid and the league. China Media Group previously halted coverage during Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Racing Santander, during which Mbappé scored. Although China's foreign ministry took note of the apologies, authorities have not announced when the broadcasting freeze will be lifted.
Key points
Chinese officials have not set a specific timeline for ending the La Liga broadcasting bl…: Chinese officials have not set a specific timeline for ending the La Liga broadcasting blackout despite received apologies.
China Media Group treated apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid, and the league as an absolu…: China Media Group treated apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid, and the league as an absolute prerequisite for resolution.
The ongoing football suspension mirrors a one-year NBA broadcast ban that Chinese state m…: The ongoing football suspension mirrors a one-year NBA broadcast ban that Chinese state media initiated in October 2019.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
China's state broadcaster CCTV did not air a Real Madrid match on Sunday, despite the club's star striker Kylian Mbappé's apology for his "ill-judged" remarks on the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Mbappé drew huge backlash after saying the meme "that makes [him] laugh the most" was the one in which his face is superimposed on a "Chinese dictator" resembling Mao.
China Media Group, CCTV's parent organisation, said last Tuesday it would suspend broadcasts of Spanish football La Liga matches following the furore, which also led to Mbappé being dropped by several Chinese brands.
China's foreign ministry had said it took Mbappé's apology "seriously". Real Madrid and La Liga have also apologised.
China Media Group had earlier demanded apologies from the three parties, calling them "an absolute prerequisite" for moving past the incident.
It has acknowledged the apologies, but has not commented on how long the broadcast blackout will last.
Mbappé, who reportedly made his remark about the meme on French talk show The Bridge, apologised later on Tuesday.
"My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that…
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