Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappé has been handed a one-match suspension for his reckless red card against Alavés — but why did he escaped a longer ban?
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed the decision on Tuesday, classifying the incident as “violent conduct.”
The red card — Mbappé’s first in a Madrid shirt — came in the 38th minute of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Alavés, after VAR review caught the French forward launching a high, studs-up challenge on midfielder Antonio Blanco.
What’s more shocking? He’ll miss just one game.
The Loophole That Saved Mbappé
The RFEF disciplinary committee cited “violent conduct,” but crucially, the referee’s match report noted that Mbappé’s challenge occurred “while disputing the ball” — a key technicality that reduced his potential suspension from three games to one.
“It was a clear red-card challenge, and he’s suffered the consequences,” said Davide Ancelotti, Madrid’s assistant coach and son of manager Carlo Ancelotti.
“Kylian isn’t a violent lad for sure; he’s said sorry, he’s aware of the mistake he made,” Ancelotti added.
“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.”
What It Means for Real Madrid
Mbappé will now miss Sunday’s LaLiga clash against Athletic Club, but will be available for this critical fixture:
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The Copa del Rey final vs. Barcelona on April 26
Kylian Mbappé’s Disciplinary Record
This is Mbappé’s fourth career red card:
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1 in Ligue 1
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2 in domestic cups with PSG
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1 in LaLiga (his first for Real Madrid)
