China halts La Liga broadcasts

China's state media group announced it is suspending broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches over remarks by Kylian Mbappé about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

Mbappé joined Real Madrid in 2024 and is one of the biggest stars of La Liga, which has a large following in China.

The decision recalls earlier cases in which Chinese media suspended broadcasts of matches or sporting events over remarks they considered offensive, underlining the sensitivity of political and historical issues in the Chinese market.

China is an important source of broadcast and sponsorship revenue for European leagues, so the decision may have commercial consequences.