China pulls Premier League coverage over Ukraine support plans

By Samantha Allen

Published: March 5, 2022 | 2:49 PM GMT

The Chinese rights holders of the English Premier League are not airing its football matches this weekend, schedules show, with the games expected to show solidarity with Ukraine after Russia’s invasion.

Beijing has been treading a cautious diplomatic line on the conflict, refusing to condemn the acts of its close partner Moscow.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping and Russian leader, Vladimir Putin had last month, declared in Beijing that their friendship had “no limits”, a deepening embrace driven by mutual desire to counter US influence.

”This weekend, Premier League club captains are expected to wear armbands in the colours of Ukraine and take part in a moment of reflection and solidarity ahead of kick-off,” report says.

It added that ”The acts are expected to feature in international broadcast feeds.

” But two Chinese rights holders for the league, streaming platforms iQiyi Sports and Migu show no plans to air the matches this weekend.

Earlier announcements of their partnerships indicated they would broadcast all games.

Some Social media users noted the absence of the matches on schedules, reacting with a mix of disappointment and confusion.

The Premier League terminated a lucrative broadcasting contract with streaming service PPTV in China in 2020, after it reportedly failed to make a £160m payment due as the pandemic hit.

In 2019, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV dropped an Arsenal v Manchester City match from its programme after Gunners midfielder Mesut Ozil expressed support for mainly Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang.

SuperSport/Mercy Chukwudiebere
China pulls Premier League coverage over Ukraine support plans

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.