Mbappé row: China state broadcaster, CCTV still keeping La Liga off air

China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, did not air Sunday’s Real Madrid match despite an apology from striker Kylian Mbappé over his remarks on the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, BBC News reports.

Mbappé drew backlash after saying the meme “that makes [him] laugh the most” was one in which his face is superimposed on a “Chinese dictator” resembling Mao.

China Media Group, CCTV’s parent organisation, said last Tuesday it would suspend La Liga broadcasts. The row also led to several Chinese brands dropping Mbappé. It has acknowledged apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga but has not said how long the blackout will last.

Mbappé said, “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world.”

China’s foreign ministry said it took the apology “seriously”.

Real Madrid beat Racing Santander 3-0 on Sunday, with goals from Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande.