CliqNews Desk · EN
Kylian Mbappé’s apology fails to end China’s Real Madrid broadcast ban.
Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid match against Racing Santander this weekend was unavailable on both television and digital streaming platforms in China, a sign that the backlash against the French star over a perceived insult to Mao Zedong has yet to fully subside.
Lanaka Valery
2 November 2026 · 1 min
Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Racing Santander, which the Spanish giants won 3-0, did not appear on the schedule of China’s state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday.
The match was also absent from China Mobile’s streaming platform Migu Video, which owns the rights to broadcast La Liga matches in mainland China.
Mbappé sparked outrage after comments perceived as insulting to the late Chinese leader, prompting several major Chinese brands to cut ties with the Real Madrid forward.
The 27-year-old apologized for the “ill-judged” remarks, but Chinese state television and streaming platforms have continued to block broadcasts of his matches.
The fallout has also seen sponsors remove posts featuring the France captain, underlining the limited room for error for global celebrities and brands in China’s lucrative market.
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