Tebas offers to visit China as Mbappe fallout continues over disputed penalty

Javier Tebas says he is prepared to travel to China to help resolve the dispute surrounding Kylian Mbappe, while the La Liga president has also criticised the penalty awarded to the Real Madrid forward in their win over Racing Santander.

Tebas made the comments at the “A World in Progress” forum in Barcelona. His remarks were reported by Catalan newspaper Sport.

“I will consider travelling to China if it is necessary. I offered to go there from the first day,” Tebas said.

The La Liga president stressed that relations between the competition and China remained strong despite the controversy involving Mbappe.

“We have exceptional relations,” he said. “The vice-president of China recently visited us in Barcelona and toured the club facilities. We have very good relations with China.”

Tebas was also asked about the penalty awarded to Mbappe during Real Madrid’s match against Racing Santander. The referee pointed to the spot in the 10th minute after Mbappe went down following contact with Racing Santander player Mateo Prati inside the penalty area.

Tebas said the decision was incorrect, adding his view to the criticism directed at referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero. The controversy was heightened by the fact that the video assistant referee did not recommend an on-field review.

Real Madrid won the match 3-0. Mbappe converted the penalty to open the scoring, before Jude Bellingham added a second and Yan Diomande completed the victory.

China broadcasting dispute remains unresolved

Tebas’s latest comments come as the consequences of Mbappe’s dispute with China continue despite apologies from the player, La Liga and Real Madrid.

The controversy began after Mbappe commented on a satirical image showing his face superimposed on the body of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. During the interview, Mbappe described Mao as a Chinese dictator.

The reaction in China prompted the France forward to apologise. La Liga later issued a formal apology to the Chinese people, followed by a similar statement from Real Madrid in an attempt to contain the situation.

However, the apologies have not yet led to the return of Real Madrid matches to Chinese broadcasts. Spanish news agency EFE reported that the club’s games remain absent from Chinese state television channels and the Migu platform.

Migu did not show Real Madrid’s recent meeting with Racing Santander, despite the apologies from Mbappe and the club.

The dispute has also affected commercial relationships. Chinese companies have ended their partnerships with Mbappe, creating further consequences for the player and La Liga in an important market for Spanish football.