China Suspends CCTV Broadcasts of La Liga After Mbappé Remarks
Chinese state television has stopped broadcasting La Liga matches after comments by Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé triggered a backlash in China. The move is an unusual break from CCTV’s regular coverage of Spanish football and raises questions about how long the suspension may last—and whether it could affect the league’s wider commercial reach in the country.
Agence France-Presse reported that CCTV, part of China Media Group (CMG), did not air either of the first two La Liga fixtures scheduled this week. Espanyol’s 1-0 win over Villarreal on Friday was absent from the channel’s programming, as was Atlético Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Levante on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s side secured the result without appearing on a broadcaster that had previously shown every La Liga match live.
A break from regular La Liga coverage
The decision stands out because CCTV has been a consistent outlet for Spanish football in China. Its coverage has helped La Liga reach a large audience of fans who follow clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. The suspension therefore appears to extend beyond a routine scheduling change, although the full scope and duration of the decision have not been announced.
Some viewers were still able to watch Villarreal against Espanyol through Migu, a streaming service operated by China Mobile. The telecoms company is state-controlled, but the match’s availability on its platform shows that the disruption has not necessarily removed every legal viewing option. Whether Migu will continue carrying future fixtures, and whether other Chinese broadcasters will show La Liga, remains unclear.
For fans, the distinction between a television blackout and a complete loss of access matters. CCTV’s absence may limit the league’s visibility, but streaming services can provide an alternative—depending on their rights agreements and programming decisions. No official date has been given for when CCTV might resume its broadcasts.
How Mbappé’s comments sparked the controversy
The suspension followed the circulation of a video in which Mbappé responded to a mocking image that linked his face with that of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China. In the clip, the France captain described Mao as “the Chinese dictator.” The remark quickly drew criticism online in China and placed the footballer at the centre of a politically sensitive debate.
The reaction also had commercial consequences. According to the report, three companies that used Mbappé’s name and image ended their contracts with him early on Tuesday. CCTV’s decision to stop showing La Liga matches came after those developments, adding a significant broadcasting dimension to a controversy that had already affected the player’s commercial relationships.
There is no indication that the matches were removed because of an incident on the pitch. Instead, the timing links the broadcast decision to the public response to Mbappé’s remarks. The suspension is particularly broad: it applies to La Liga coverage generally, rather than only to Real Madrid fixtures featuring the striker.
Why the decision matters to football audiences and the league
China is an important international market for major football competitions. Broadcast exposure helps leagues build followings, attract sponsors and connect clubs with supporters far beyond their home countries. A pause in coverage on a prominent national channel could therefore have implications beyond two missed games, especially if it continues into a busy stretch of the season.
For La Liga, the immediate concern is uncertainty. The league has not publicly confirmed when CCTV coverage will return, and it remains to be seen whether other broadcasters will maintain their schedules. A prolonged interruption could make it harder for some viewers to follow the competition through familiar television channels, while also shifting more attention toward licensed streaming platforms.
The episode also illustrates how quickly a football figure’s public comments can travel across borders and affect different parts of the sport. A remark made in a video can prompt a social media response, influence sponsorship decisions and, in this case, coincide with a change in broadcast coverage. For clubs and leagues operating internationally, media strategy and cultural awareness are increasingly part of the wider business of football.
What to watch next
The key question is whether CCTV’s suspension is temporary or will continue across upcoming rounds. Viewers will also be watching to see whether Migu keeps offering selected matches and whether other Chinese channels step in to provide coverage. At present, no resumption date has been announced, so the future of La Liga on CCTV remains uncertain.
For supporters looking ahead to the next fixtures, a match prediction may be less useful than checking local listings and official streaming schedules first. Availability could vary from one game to another while broadcasters respond to the situation. The results on the field will continue to shape the title race, but off-field developments may determine how easily fans in China can watch the action.
For now, the absence of Espanyol’s win over Villarreal and Atlético Madrid’s victory over Levante marks a notable change in La Liga’s Chinese coverage. Whether it becomes a brief interruption or a longer blackout will depend on decisions still to come from CCTV and other rights holders.
