Kylian Mbappe Likely to Escape Long Ban After Tense Red Card vs Alaves

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is reported to be likely to get a light ban after his contentious red card for a reckless challenge during Los Blancos' 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves.

What Happened?

Real Madrid earned a gritty 1-0 win at Alaves on Sunday, a match in which both teams had 10 men. Mbappe was the first player to receive his marching orders, after he went studs up into Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco. Mbappe studs up into Blanco's shin when the ball was nowhere close to him. The tackle saw observers questioning the intensity of contact and the prospects before Mbappe.

The Bigger Picture

Despite the speculation regarding whether Mbappe could be banned for a long time, such as five games, Spanish newspaper COPE states that the forward is likely to only be banned for one game. This is according to the referee's report, where Cesar Soto Grado said that Mbappe appeared to be fighting for the ball when making the tackle.

Potential Consequences

If the tackle had been rated a serious foul, Mbappe could have received a much lengthier suspension and may have sat out Real Madrid's Copa del Rey final with Barcelona on April 26. Spanish football law states, however, that suspensions in La Liga extend to all domestic league play, meaning that a long suspension could have meant he didn't play for big games.

While the decision hasn't been made, it seems as if Mbappe will escape a harsh punishment for the deed.