Real Madrid get Kylian Mbappe red card update ahead of Arsenal as suspension twist emerges

Kylian Mbappe could be let off the hook after receiving a straight red card for a horror challenge in the first-half of Real Madrid's La Liga match against Alaves, on Sunday (April 13).

Los Blancos managed to maintain their 1-0 lead despite losing their French galatico, with Alaves eventually going down to 10 men themselves in the second half.

The ill-timed tackle was heavily criticised on social media, being described as the worst tackle of the season, after replays showed Mbappe missing the ball by some distance and driving his right boot into midfielder Blanco's planted leg, studs first.

The incident saw the 26-year-old pick up the fourth red card of his career with some fans unclear on what the suspension means for Madrid's upcoming Champions League second leg, against Arsenal, which they trail 3-0.

Well-known Arsenal fan, Piers Morgan was one of many to share their opinion on the tackle, describing it on X as being a "Disgusting 'tackle' by Mbappe. Vicious intent and could have broken the guy’s leg. Red card should be the very least of his punishment."

Unfortunately for Arsenal, however, the striker will still be eligible for Madrid's European campaign, with any ban only applying to domestic competitions as the club tries to close a four-point gap on rivals Barcelona in the remaining seven league matches.

And now, Spanish outlet COPE reports that the striker could end up missing just a single game for the incident.

In La Liga, a red card typically results in a two-match ban, which would see Mbappe sent to the stands for upcoming league outings against Athletic Bilbao and Getafe.

According to COPE, the Frenchman would only miss the Bilbao fixture as referee Cesar Soto Grado noted down that the forward was challenging for the ball when he received his sending off.

Fellow Frenchman, Eduardo Camavinga, who scored the only goal of the game against Alaves, will miss the Champions League second leg after being shown a second yellow card in the final minutes at the Emirates.

After the sending off against Alaves, Madrid assistant manager, Davide Ancelotti said: "He [Mbappe] apologised, he’s not a violent guy. He understands what he did.

"All the fouls he received made him react in that way."

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