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China state broadcaster pulls Real Madrid match over Mbappé joke
China Media Group has suspended La Liga broadcasts, and three Chinese sponsors have dropped the forward; the apologies were reportedly not enough.
On air: Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance on BBN After HoursPublished
Photo: Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance on this story, from BBN After Hours at 2:42 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are BBC's, the jokes are ours.
From the show
At a glance
- First reported by BBC: “China state broadcaster pulls Real Madrid match over Mbappé joke”, with reporting from Malay Mail (AFP), Free Malaysia Today (AFP) and Latin Times.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 2:42 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- BBCChina state broadcaster pulls Real Madrid match over Mbappé joke
- Malay Mail (AFP)Chinese state TV fails to air Real Madrid match after Mbappe row November 2, 2026 · facts used on air
- Free Malaysia Today (AFP)Chinese state TV fails to air Real Madrid match after Mbappe row November 2, 2026 · facts used on air
- Latin TimesMbappé's Name Pulled From Beijing Store Shelves as China's La Liga Blackout Enters Its Second Weekend facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorChina's state broadcaster did not air Sunday's Real Madrid match against Racing Santander on either of its two sports channels, after a viral video of Kylian Mbappé joking about a meme.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHe said the funniest one he'd seen was his face photoshopped onto a man he thought was a Chinese dictator.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorChina Media Group has suspended La Liga broadcasts and says apologies are a prerequisite.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe apologized, La Liga said it deeply regretted it, Real Madrid followed, and China's foreign ministry said it took the apology seriously.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe broadcaster says the apology will be judged by his actions. Three Chinese sponsors have also ended deals with him, the Latin Times reports.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorKenji, a practical lesson: never joke about anyone's face abroad.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentClip it. Noted, I'm only posting memes of myself now.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWise. Though I'm told you tested badly in nineteen eighty-nine.
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Photo: Ghyuty17 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Here · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Phantom Kabocha · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, November 2, 2026 · the Sports archive · all months
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