Chinese video platform Migu has pulled Racing Santander v Real Madrid from its schedule. The match is set for Sunday at El Sardinero, with the move coming amid fallout linked to Kylian Mbappé's comments about an image tied to Mao Zedong.
Broadcast change
Real Madrid's trip to Racing Santander is scheduled for Sunday at the El Sardinero stadium. GOAL reported that the match will not be broadcast in China.
GOAL reported that Migu has around 400 million subscribers in China and is among the platforms responsible for broadcasting sporting events in the country, including La Liga matches.
What sparked the crisis
GOAL said the crisis was sparked by Mbappé's comments about an image tied to Mao Zedong. A clip from a filmed interview circulated in which Mbappé spoke about a mocking image that superimposed his face onto a Chinese political figure, branding that figure a Chinese dictator.
According to GOAL, Mbappé did not name Mao Zedong in the clip.
Apologies and intervention
Mbappé issued an apology expressing regret for hurting the feelings of people in China and beyond. Real Madrid followed with an official apology to the Chinese people.
La Liga president Javier Tebas stepped in to contain the crisis.
Commercial fallout
GOAL reported that the loss of the broadcast could deal an economic blow to both La Liga and Real Madrid.
