China state broadcaster CCTV pulls Real Madrid match over Mbappé joke

bbc news Nov 2, 2026 04:48 1 min read 9 reads

China Media Group, which acknowledged Mbappé's apology, has not said how long the blackout will last.

China state broadcaster pulls Real Madrid match over Mbappé joke36 minutes agoKelly Ng

China Media Group, which acknowledged Mbappé's apology, has not commented on how long the blackout will last

Getty Images Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid CF runs with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Racing Club de Santander — China Media Group, which acknowledged Mbappé's apology, has not commented on how long the blackout will last

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.