China's state-run broadcaster CCTV has continued to withhold live coverage of Real Madrid's game against Racing Santander amid fallout from a controversial meme linking Kylian Mbappé to Mao Zedong.
The decision to keep the match off air persists even after apologies were issued by the player, his club Real Madrid, and Spain's top-flight league La Liga. The exact duration of the blackout and whether it will affect future fixtures involving Real Madrid remain unclear.
The episode has underscored the sensitivities surrounding representations of historic Chinese leaders and the potential commercial and diplomatic consequences for global sports organisations and athletes. Broadcasters and rights holders often face pressure to respond to such controversies in markets where political sensitivities can influence viewership and partnerships.
Real Madrid and La Liga had publicly apologised alongside Mbappé following the backlash, but CCTV's decision to continue the blackout indicates the response has not been sufficient to restore normal broadcast relations at this stage. The incident will be watched closely by clubs, leagues and broadcasters as they navigate the interface between international sport, global media rights and local political considerations.