The Chinese state television CCTV has suspended broadcasts of LaLiga, despite the apologies issued by Real Madrid on Wednesday following the controversial statements made by Kylian Mbappé regarding Mao Zedong.
The China Media Group (CMG), responsible for CCTV, confirmed that it had received an official letter through LaLiga in which the Madrid club expressed its respect for China and joined in the apologies from the French footballer.
However, the agency did not clarify whether it considers the rectification sufficient nor did it announce when it will resume the broadcasts, which have been suspended since Monday, October 26.
Hours earlier, state radio and television had rejected explanations attributed to Real Madrid by Spanish media, stating that Mbappé did not intend to offend the Chinese people and had the right to express his personal opinions.
The spokesperson for CMG deemed that the player's words had crossed the limits of freedom of expression and warned that, without satisfactory apologies, "there was nothing to discuss."
In its official statement, Real Madrid expressed its apologies to the Chinese people for the discomfort caused and reaffirmed its "deep respect for China, its history, its culture, and its citizens."
The controversy erupted after Mbappé mentioned, during an interview, a meme in which his face was superimposed over that of a "Chinese dictator," referring to Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China.
The episode has triggered a boycott against the footballer, the termination of several advertising contracts, and protests from Chinese fans, some of whom have shared videos of burning the forward's jerseys.
According to Reuters, the Chinese platform Migu plans to broadcast nine out of the ten LaLiga matches next weekend, but has excluded the match between Real Madrid and Racing de Santander from its schedule.
The situation leaves a commercial crisis open for Spanish football in one of its main international markets. LaLiga, which also apologized, has undertaken diplomatic efforts to try to restore broadcasts.
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