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Mbappé's Comments Spark Major Fallout with China Affecting LaLiga

Mbappé's Comments Spark Major Fallout with China Affecting LaLiga

First seen 31 Oct 2026, 23:42 UTC •
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ThreatCluster •November 1, 2026 at 08:48 UTC
  • •CCTV has suspended LaLiga broadcasts due to Mbappé's comments about Mao Zedong.
  • •The fallout affects not only Real Madrid but also other LaLiga clubs, with varying impacts.
  • •This incident recalls the NBA's 2019 crisis over comments related to Hong Kong protests.

Kylian Mbappé's recent comments referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator have led to significant backlash from China, resulting in CCTV suspending broadcasts of LaLiga matches. This incident mirrors a previous controversy involving the NBA in 2019, where Daryl Morey's support for Hong Kong protests caused a similar fallout. The repercussions extend beyond Mbappé and Real Madrid, impacting other LaLiga clubs, though to a lesser extent. China Media Group has temporarily halted all LaLiga broadcasts, and several sponsorship deals have been canceled. LaLiga's president, Javier Tebas, has engaged with Chinese officials to mitigate the damage, but CCTV dismissed the apologies from Mbappé and Real Madrid as insufficient. The situation highlights the delicate relationship between sports entities and the Chinese market.

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Timeline

2026-10-31
CCTV suspends LaLiga broadcasts
CCTV halted all LaLiga match broadcasts following Mbappé's comments, impacting the league's visibility in China.
Mundo Deportivo
2026-10-31
Mbappé and Real Madrid issue apologies
Both Mbappé and Real Madrid apologized for the comments, but CCTV deemed the apologies inadequate.
Mundo Deportivo

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Common questions

What specific comments did Mbappé make?
Mbappé referred to a meme depicting his face over that of Mao Zedong, calling him a dictator.
How does this affect LaLiga's broadcasting in China?
CCTV has suspended all broadcasts of LaLiga matches, significantly impacting the league's viewership in China.
What actions are LaLiga taking in response?
LaLiga's president is negotiating with Chinese officials to mitigate the fallout and restore broadcasting agreements.