La Liga Daily Report - 2026-10-29: Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga face China backlash

Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga apologised this week after comments about Mao Zedong triggered a backlash in China. Mbappé had described an internet meme showing his face on the body of a figure he called a “Chinese dictator”, an apparent reference to Mao. Chinese companies Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground ended commercial partnerships with the forward, while state broadcaster CCTV suspended La Liga coverage. Real Madrid issued its apology on Wednesday, following Mbappé’s statement the previous day, and La Liga president Javier Tebas also apologised as the dispute spread beyond the player’s personal sponsorships.

The immediate commercial consequences have widened the issue into a major concern for Spanish football’s international business. According to the BBC, China Media Group suspended La Liga broadcasts, while Chinese authorities said they took Mbappé’s apology seriously. The Japan Times reported that Tebas established a crisis unit and met Chinese ambassador Yao Jing as Spanish football sought to contain the dispute. A La Liga source cited by Kuwait Times said China and the United States accounted for most of the league’s international broadcasting rights, valued at €748 million for 2024-25, underlining why Madrid and the league moved quickly to repair relations.

Barcelona were fined €602 by the Spanish football federation on Tuesday over their approach for Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez. The RFEF imposed the penalty under Article 133 of its disciplinary code, which covers minor failures to meet regulatory obligations when contacting contracted players. Atlético had alleged that Barcelona opened discussions with Álvarez without first notifying his club in writing, as required by the rules. The Argentine forward joined Atlético from Manchester City in 2024 on a six-year contract running until June 2030, making the case a regulatory dispute over the approach rather than a completed transfer.

Barcelona planned to appeal the decision, according to the Hindustan Times, maintaining that the required procedures had been followed. Atlético also took its complaint to FIFA, although football’s world governing body said it had no jurisdiction over the matter. Álvarez’s own comments during this year’s World Cup, when he said he “wanted to fulfil his dream” of playing for Barcelona, helped fuel the dispute during the summer transfer window. The small fine nevertheless gives clubs a clear reminder that formal notification rules apply before negotiations with players under contract.

La Liga announced on Thursday that a minute’s silence would be held at every match in Spain’s top two divisions this weekend for the victims of the Toledo train crash. At least 69 people died when two high-speed trains collided on Wednesday, while more than 100 others were injured. The Spanish government declared three days of mourning, and the RFEF postponed all 24 Copa del Rey first-round matches scheduled for Wednesday evening as a mark of respect. La Liga said it offered condolences to the victims’ families and support to those affected by the disaster.

The gesture will place the tragedy at the centre of the weekend’s domestic fixtures, alongside the sporting programme. Real Madrid captain Fede Valverde issued a statement on behalf of his team-mates saying he was ready to help and share information that might assist in locating missing people. The incident also touched football personnel directly: the wife of Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella was travelling on the same route on a later train, which was forced to return to Madrid after the collision. The postponements and planned tributes reflect the scale of the national emergency.

Barcelona reportedly called up reserve-team right-back Guillem Víctor to first-team training on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s La Liga match against Alavés. The 19-year-old was brought into Hansi Flick’s preparations while Jules Koundé remained unable to train because of an ankle ailment. Víctor, who is Pau Víctor’s brother, has been a regular starter for Barcelona Atlètic this season. His involvement indicated that Flick was assessing defensive alternatives before the weekend fixture, although the report described a possible senior debut rather than a confirmed selection.

The move would give Barcelona another option at right-back while Koundé’s fitness remains an issue. Khel Now reported that Flick was evaluating solutions to what it called the club’s escalating defensive problems, with Víctor the main newcomer at Thursday’s session. A first-team appearance would represent a significant step for the reserve player, but his promotion also highlights the importance of squad depth during the league campaign. Barcelona’s final decision was expected to depend on training and the team’s needs before the Alavés fixture.