China’s state broadcaster CCTV kept Real Madrid off air on Sunday despite apologies from Kylian Mbappé, his club and La Liga over the striker’s joke about a meme resembling Mao Zedong.

The continued suspension leaves a distinction between acknowledging the apologies and restoring coverage. China Media Group, CCTV’s parent organisation, had called apologies from all three parties “an absolute prerequisite” for moving past the incident. It has acknowledged them but has not said how long the blackout will last.

The group announced last Tuesday that it would suspend broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches. Several Chinese brands also dropped Mbappé following the backlash.

Mbappé reportedly made the remark on the French talk show The Bridge. He said his favourite meme showed his face superimposed on a “Chinese dictator” resembling Mao.

Apologising later on Tuesday, he said: “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world.” China’s foreign ministry said it took his apology “seriously”.

The controversy concerns a leader whom China’s Communist Party reveres, despite the catastrophic consequences of his rule. Mao led the party to victory in the civil war and founded the People’s Republic of China. He died in 1976. His Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution led to a famine that killed tens of millions and unleashed violent purges across Chinese society.

Sporting coverage has been suspended over political sensitivities before. Beijing pulled NBA games for a year from October 2019 after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong protesters during widespread pro-democracy demonstrations.

Facing fierce criticism from Chinese fans, sponsors and commercial partners, Morey backtracked. He said he had considered other perspectives, valued Chinese support and had not intended to offend or cause misunderstanding.

Sunday’s untelevised match ended in a 3–0 Real Madrid victory over Racing Santander, with Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande scoring. For viewers relying on CCTV, the apologies have yet to bring the football back; the broadcaster’s parent organisation has given no timetable for its return.