China’s state broadcaster, China Central Television (CCTV), has refused to broadcast a Real Madrid match despite an apology from French football star Kylian Mbappé over controversial remarks involving the late Chinese leader, Mao Zedong.

According to the BBC on Monday, the decision was enforced on Sunday when Real Madrid faced Racing Santander in a La Liga fixture, winning 3-0 through goals from Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande.

China Media Group (CMG), the parent organisation of CCTV, had announced last Tuesday that it would suspend broadcasts of Spanish La Liga matches following widespread outrage over Mbappé’s comments.

The controversy began after the French forward reportedly said during an appearance on French talk show The Bridge that the funniest meme he had seen was one showing his face superimposed on the image of a Chinese dictator resembling Mao.

The remarks sparked anger in China, where Mao remains a highly sensitive historical and political figure.

Mbappé subsequently apologised, admitting that his comments were ill-judged and acknowledging that they had offended many people in China and Chinese communities around the world.

China’s Foreign Ministry said it took the apology seriously, while Real Madrid and La Liga also issued apologies over the incident.

However, CMG had earlier insisted that apologies from Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga were an absolute prerequisite for resolving the controversy.

Although the broadcaster has acknowledged the apologies, it has yet to announce when coverage of La Liga matches will resume.

The controversy has also reportedly resulted in several Chinese brands dropping Mbappé from their promotional campaigns.

Mao, who founded the People’s Republic of China in 1949 after leading the Communist Party to victory in the civil war, died in 1976.

His rule included the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, periods associated with mass famine, political persecution and widespread violence.

China has previously taken similar action against international sporting organisations over political controversies.

In October 2019, Chinese broadcasters suspended NBA coverage for about a year after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey expressed support for Hong Kong protesters in a social media post.

Morey later sought to clarify his position, saying he had listened to other perspectives and never intended to offend Chinese fans or sponsors.

The latest dispute underscores the potential commercial consequences international sports figures and organisations may face when their public comments conflict with China’s political sensitivities.

Nigerian football administrator Samson Adamu has been appointed General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), becoming the latest Nigerian to occupy a key administrative position in African football.

CAF announced the appointment in a statement published on its official website on Sunday, following what it described as a comprehensive recruitment process.

Adamu had been serving as Acting General Secretary since March, following the resignation of his predecessor, Veron Mosengo-Omba, who later became president of the football federation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The new CAF General Secretary has spent eight years with the continental football governing body, having joined the organisation in 2018 as Director of Competitions before subsequently serving as Director of Tournaments and Events.

During his time at CAF, Adamu played a leading role in organising several major continental football competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

CAF President Patrice Motsepe, commenting on the appointment, said Adamu’s experience and understanding of the organisation made him suitable for the position.

“Adamu brings extensive experience in African football administration, having joined CAF in 2018 as Director of Competitions before subsequently serving as Director of Tournaments and Events.

“He has played a leading role in the delivery of several major continental competitions, including CAF’s flagship tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations,” Motsepe was quoted as saying.

Adamu is a graduate of the FIFA Master programme in International Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, an academic qualification that focuses on the management and administration of sports.

In his new position, he is expected to oversee CAF’s day-to-day administrative operations and support the implementation of the organisation’s strategic priorities.

He is the son of Amos Adamu, a former Director of Sports in Nigeria’s then Ministry of Sports and a former member of the FIFA Executive Committee.

His appointment also places him among a succession of CAF General Secretaries with family connections to the position, particularly members of Egypt’s Fahmy family.

Mourad Fahmy served as CAF General Secretary from 1961 to 1982 before his son, Mustapha Fahmy, took over and held the position until 2010.

Amr Fahmy, the grandson of Mourad, also served as CAF General Secretary between 2017 and 2019.

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi ended his Premier League goal drought on Saturday as Coventry City secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Awoniyi scored his first Premier League goal of the 2026/27 campaign in the encounter, providing a timely boost for Frank Lampard’s side in their battle to avoid relegation.

The Nigerian forward found the back of the net in the 37th minute to double Coventry’s advantage after Tatsuhiro Sakamoto had opened the scoring in the 17th minute.

His goal ended a frustrating wait for a league breakthrough this season, having managed just one other goal in the EFL Cup.

Awoniyi delivered an impressive performance, repeatedly troubling Sunderland’s defence before being substituted in the 72nd minute.

The encounter was regarded as a crucial relegation battle between Coventry and bottom-placed Sunderland, who are managed by Régis Le Bris.

Coventry strengthened their grip on the contest seven minutes into the second half when Jack Rudoni scored in the 52nd minute to make it 3-0.

Sunderland reduced the deficit in the 67th minute through Enzo Le Fée, who converted a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee review.

However, the visitors struggled to build on the goal and failed to mount a serious comeback against the hosts.

Their difficult afternoon was compounded in the 99th minute when defender Omar Alderete received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Sunderland with 10 players.

The victory handed Coventry three valuable points as they continue their fight for Premier League survival, while Awoniyi’s breakthrough goal will provide encouragement as the season progresses.