Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has suspended broadcasts of the Spanish league and matches involving Kylian Mbappé, according to the EFE news agency.
The reason? CCTV made the decision following comments by the French player about a recurring social media meme comparing him to Mao Zedong.
The highly unusual move was first reported by local outlet The Paper, citing sources linked to the public broadcaster, and includes the removal of all advertisements and videos featuring the Real Madrid forward.
Several brands have also cut ties with him: beverage group Dongpeng (through its Bu Shui La brand) and dairy companies Mengniu and Milkground have ended their commercial relationships with the footballer.
None of the companies specified in their statements the particular incident that prompted their decision, although Dongpeng cited a policy of “zero tolerance” for behavior that hurts national feelings.
The controversy stemmed from an interview in which Mbappé, asked about his favorite meme, named the one that superimposes his face on that of “a Chinese dictator.”
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.