March 7 – English Premier League matches were blocked by Chinese broadcasters last weekend because of widespread displays of solidarity for Ukraine.
China is a nation that still needs to rethink its social contract with the rest of the world following the coronavirus pandemic. It’s political position over Ukraine became a lot clearer with the broadcast ban in the soft geo-politics of sport.
What the Chinese and any other would-be supporters of Ukraine need to understand that the scenes across English football were repeated across the whole of western Europe by football fans. They were not co-ordinated acts of state sponsored PR. They were ordinary people expressing in overwhelming numbers their objection to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis.
China showed themselves to be on the wrong side of global public opinion and freedom of expression. By removing broadcasts from Chinese territories they not only deprived football fans of their entertainment but they cut Chinese people off from world opinion. Whether the world in turn starts to cut the Chinese off remains to be seen.
Chinese broadcaster iQIYI owns China’s exclusive rights to the Premier League up until the end of the 2024-25 season. They informed the Premier League ahead of time that they would not air matches on Saturday or Sunday in response to the league’s support for Ukraine following the invasion of their country by Russia.
The deal is not expected to be at risk despite the surprise weekend move.
Across England clubs, players and fans across England came together to send messages and gestures of support for Ukraine with tv screens showing the country’sblue and yellow Ukrainian flag proclaiming ‘Football Stands Together’.
Minutes of applause were held at grounds, captains wore blue and yellow armbands and fans held up blue and yellow cards.
The message was clear. China’s ability to be a good global citizen isn’t.
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