Manchester derby axed for Chinese fans as broadcaster blackouts Premier League matches over support for Ukraine
- Football fans in mainland China will miss one of the games of the season this weekend
- Title-chasing Manchester City host Manchester United, while Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all in action
Manchester United and league leaders Manchester City clash in one of the biggest games of the English Premier League season on Sunday, but fans in mainland China will not be able to watch it or any other matches this weekend.
Chinese rights holders have told the league they will not broadcast matches because of its planned show of support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, the BBC said.
China is a close political ally of Russia, which calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation”.
Earlier this week, the Premier League said teams would show their support for Ukraine at games, with all 20 captains wearing special armbands in Ukrainian colours.
Fans are also being encouraged to join players, managers, match officials and club staff in a moment of reflection and solidarity before kick-off at each game.
The screens at stadiums will display “Football Stands Together” against the backdrop of the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag.
Richard Masters, the league’s chief executive, said that with teams demonstrating their support for Ukraine, he would “like the Russian people to see the strength of feeling in the Premier League and in English football this weekend”.