Real Madrid`s star forward Kylian Mbappe was sent off with a straight red card during a La Liga match against Alaves due to a harsh tackle.
This dismissal raises concerns about his potential absence in the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona if he receives a suspension of four or more games.
Real Madrid`s assistant coach mentioned that Mbappe apologized for his actions, suggesting that the foul was a reaction to persistent fouls against him throughout the game.
“Kylian isn`t a violent lad for sure; he`s said sorry, he`s aware of the mistake he made,” assistant coach Davide Ancelotti said after the game. “It`s a clear red-card challenge, and he`s suffered the consequences. All the little fouls they committed on him made him react in that way. It wasn`t the right way, I`m not justifying it, but that`s what happened.”
A suspension that could affect the Copa del Rey final would occur if the referee`s report classifies Mbappe`s tackle as a `serious offense`, potentially leading to a multi-game ban. Spanish FA rules stipulate that only suspensions exceeding four games apply to cup competitions, including the Copa del Rey final scheduled for April 26 in Sevilla against FC Barcelona.
According to Opta, Mbappe is only the second Real Madrid striker in the 21st century to receive a red card in the first half of a La Liga match, following Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2008. Despite this incident, Mbappe has had a successful first season with Real Madrid, scoring 32 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions, matching Cristiano Ronaldo`s goal tally in his debut season. However, this red card against Alaves could be seen as a low point in Mbappe`s Madrid career, with potential significant consequences for the upcoming final.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
