Chinese state TV suspends La Liga broadcasts over Mbappé Mao Zedong meme controversy

Chinese state broadcaster CCTV suspended La Liga coverage and all Mbappé-related content after the Real Madrid forward joked about a meme comparing him to Mao Zedong.

Chinese state television CCTV has suspended broadcasts of La Liga and all content featuring Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé following controversy over his comments about a meme that compares him to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

The suspension took effect Monday night and includes removal of all advertisements and videos featuring the player, according to local media The Paper citing sources at the state broadcaster. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun warned on Tuesday that "words and actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people will be rejected by all sectors of society."

Mbappé made the comments during a recent interview when asked about his favourite meme. He said: "The one I laughed at the most is the one where they use my face on a Chinese dictator. I use it a lot with my friends." The meme, which superimposes Mbappé's face onto a portrait of Mao Zedong, became popular on social media among fans satirizing the French forward.