{
  "id": 17789026,
  "title": "China state broadcaster pulls Real Madrid match over Kylian Mbappé joke",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/china-state-broadcaster-pulls-real-madrid-match-over-kylian-mbappe",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T11:49:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/sports/china-state/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "CCTV, China's state broadcaster, did not air a Real Madrid match on Sunday, maintaining a television blackout following controversy over Kylian Mbappé's comments about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Mbappé made the remarks on French talk show The Bridge, drawing widespread backlash in China. Following the backlash, China Media Group, CCTV's parent organization, suspended broadcasts of Spanish football La Liga matches. Numerous Chinese brands, including beverage manufacturer Dongpeng and dairy producer Mengniu, dropped their endorsement contracts with Mbappé in response. Despite apologies from Real Madrid, La Liga, and Mbappé himself, state television has not indicated an end to the programming disruption.",
  "summary": "By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent China state broadcaster CCTV did not air a Real Madrid match on Sunday, extending a television blackout despite an apology from the club’s star striker, Kylian Mbappé, for his “ill-judged” comments about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The decision by parent organization China Media Group underscores Beijing’s […]",
  "key_points": [
    "CCTV, China's state broadcaster, blacked out Real Madrid match.",
    "Kylian Mbappé made controversial comments about Mao Zedong.",
    "Brands dropped endorsement contracts with Mbappé amid backlash."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Football: China refuses to air Real Madrid game after Mbappé comment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/football-china-refuses-to-air-real-madrid-game-after-mbappe-comment",
        "published": "2026-11-02T11:09:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}