1 week Ago By Daniel Hepburn
Real Madrid talisman Kylian Mbappe saw red – both metaphorically and physically – in his side’s 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday and the length of his ban has now been revealed ahead of an important period for Los Blancos. Carlo Ancelotti ’s men, in the lead thanks to Eduardo Camavinga’s goal in the 34th minute, found themselves one man short with seven minutes of the first half left to play after Mbappe’s reckless challenge on Antonio Blanco saw him sent off . The referee, Cesar Soto Grado, initially brandished a yellow card – but following a VAR review, he changed his decision and Mbappe was shown a red card, the first of his career in the Spanish capital.
Grado explained his decision in the match report. GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Mbappe, having scored 22 goals, is second in the 24/25 La Liga goalscoring charts – Robert Lewandowski has notched 25 strikes. He stated that it was “a tackle with the foot in a studs-up position at the height of an opponent’s shin, in a contest for the ball, using excessive force.
” And, according to Spanish publication COPE , the way that Grado recalled the on-pitch incident has led them to believe that a single-match suspension will be the outcome by virtue of the fact that Mbappe fought for possession of the ball. Elsewhere, former Primera Division referee Iturralde Gonzalez analysed the incident and how many matches he may miss as a result . “Mbappe will face Article 130 because he hasn’t removed the opponent from the field.
It’s very clear," he said, per Realmadrid Confidencial . “It is sanctioned with a suspension of one to two matches. For me.
It will be two, and if they give him three, Real Madrid will appeal, and it should be two. He should always play in the Cup final." That would prevent Mbappe from playing when Real Madrid play host to Athletic Club on 20 April, while his availability for their visit to Getafe three days later is also up in the air.
However, he’ll be pleased to know that he could play in their Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on 26 April. Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider , has demanded that Mbappe – widely regarded as one of the best players in world football – should be given a ten-match ban for his moment of madness against Alaves. In response to finding out that Mbappe, 26, will potentially face a ban between one and two matches, fans are outraged given the nature – and severity – of his challenge.
One wrote: "What a joke. It’s a textbook three-match ban for a reckless tackle with no intent to go for the ball." Suggesting that Blanco was lucky to walk away unscathed from Mbappe’s careless tackle, another supporter insisted that, because the latter showed very little (if any) intent of winning the ball, he should be given a five-match ban at the minimum.
"Should definitely be more. He didn’t have any intention of going for the ball. He was literally just going for his leg, could have easily ended up breaking a leg.
Should be given minimum five matches or until the end of season." From England's Kyle Walker to the legendary Thierry Henry, here are the fastest footballers of all time. "What a joke.
It’s a textbook three-match ban for a reckless tackle with no intent to go for the ball.” another insisted before a fourth added: “There is no way this isn't corruption. Real Madrid may wear white, but they are such a dirty, dirty team.
" "I really hope other La Liga clubs get together to point this BS out. It's the most blatant example of favouritism, to not say corruption, to date." Another fan went one step further to suggest the French marksman should be banned for the rest of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign.
"Ridiculous, should be out for the rest of the La Liga season." A final fan said: "This is preposterous, absolute joke of a league.".
