The controversy emerged after Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe made remarks regarding an internet meme referencing former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, triggering widespread public backlash. Although Mbappe, his club, and the league apologized, state broadcaster CCTV refused to broadcast weekend La Liga matches, and pay television blocked Real Madrid's fixture. La Liga president Javier Tebas has since met with Chinese officials, including Ambassador Yao Jing, hoping established institutional relationships will soon normalize broadcasting ties.
Key points
Broadcast restrictions in China represent an immediate commercial risk for La Liga and Re…: Broadcast restrictions in China represent an immediate commercial risk for La Liga and Real Madrid after both issued public apologies.
League leadership relies on previous cooperative ties with China Media Group to prevent a…: League leadership relies on previous cooperative ties with China Media Group to prevent a long-term media blackout similar to the 2019 NBA dispute.
Spanish football executives plan continued diplomatic travel and dialogue with officials…: Spanish football executives plan continued diplomatic travel and dialogue with officials in Beijing and Madrid to fully restore television coverage.
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Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga apologised for the comment after a backlash in China, where mocking former leader Mao Zedong is taboo.
BARCELONA: La Liga president Javier Tebas said on Monday (Nov 2) he is maintaining dialogue with Chinese authorities in an effort to defuse a row over Kylian Mbappe's comments about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV did not air a single La Liga match this weekend, while Real Madrid's win at Racing Santander on Sunday was also not shown on pay television in the country.
In a clip from an interview with French show The Bridge which has since been taken down, Mbappe had said he was amused by an internet meme showing his face photoshopped onto "some guy, think he's a Chinese dictator", an apparent reference to Mao.
Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga apologised for the comment after a backlash in China, where mocking former leader Mao - blamed by historians for millions of deaths - is taboo.
"For now, we wait and see how the situation develops ... because given…
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