Mbappé Mao row: China talks to Real Madrid but the TV blackout stays

Ten days after it started, the row between Kylian Mbappé and China is still not settled. On Friday 6 November, China's ambassador to Spain confirmed that Beijing is talking to Real Madrid and LaLiga, while stressing that these are not negotiations. In the meantime, Real Madrid games remain off Chinese screens and LaLiga is counting the cost.

A comment about a meme started it all

The story began with a video that went viral in late October. In an interview with the outlet The Bridge, Mbappé reacted to a meme that put his face on an image of Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, who led the country from 1949 until his death in 1976. Without naming him, the Real Madrid forward described the figure as some guy who, he thought, was a Chinese dictator.

In China, where Mao remains untouchable, the remark landed very badly. On Tuesday 27 October, several Chinese brands ended their deals with the France captain, saying he had hurt national feelings. The same day, state media group CMG, which runs broadcaster CCTV, suspended its coverage of LaLiga.

A wave of apologies

Mbappé quickly posted an apology in French, English and Mandarin, saying sorry to everyone his words had hurt. LaLiga distanced itself from the comments and issued its own apology on behalf of the league and its clubs.

Real Madrid took a little longer. The club first defended its player's freedom of expression. CCTV called that response inadequate and demanded a formal apology, describing it as a precondition for moving on. On 28 October, Real apologised to the Chinese people for the distress caused by their forward's remarks, posting the statement on their Chinese social media accounts.

Beijing responded the same day. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China takes the apology seriously. CMG, for its part, said it would listen to what Mbappé says but, more importantly, watch what he does.

Real Madrid wiped off Chinese screens

The apologies have not been enough to restore things. On the weekend of 1 November, streaming platform Migu showed other LaLiga games but left out Real Madrid's match against Racing Santander. LaLiga president Javier Tebas explained the fallout at a forum in Barcelona: the two games offered free to air each matchday are no longer shown in China, and fixtures remain on pay channels except those involving Real Madrid.

Tebas also chose his words carefully when talking about Beijing. He said Mao is revered in China and that LaLiga respects him, and insisted he is in constant contact with the authorities in Madrid and Beijing. He is betting on time and on LaLiga's long ties with China, where he advises the Chinese Super League and plans to open an office in Shanghai.