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Mbappe avoids lengthy ban for horror stamp, will be available for Copa del Rey final vs Barcelona
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe will only serve a one-match suspension for a horrendous challenge on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco over the weekend, according to Spanish reporter Arancha Rodriguez.
The Frenchman was at risk of missing several games, including the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in two weeks. However, the one-match suspension means Mbappe will miss only the Athletic Bilbao visit to the Santiago Bernabeu this Sunday.
Mbappe can consider himself lucky, as the tackle on Blanco was vicious, and a lengthy ban would not have been out of order.
La Liga rival fans have been up in arms since the verdict was delivered, with many pointing to the five-game suspension levied on Atletico Madrid forward Angel Correa for insulting the referee earlier this season.
Barcelona fans will rightly cry foul play after Robert Lewandowski received a three-match suspension for a hand gesture. Meanwhile, Mbappe escapes after nearly ending a career.
Barcelona fans will point fingers at La Liga boss Javier Tebas, a well-known Real Madrid supporter, for allowing Mbappe to escape severe punishment. However, it is more an indictment of poor/inconsistent decision-making.
Why should an insult to the match official earn players more punishment than nearly sending their colleague to the treatment table for months?
This latest decision only adds to the growing frustration over La Liga’s disciplinary inconsistencies.
As things stand, Mbappe will be back in time for the Barca clash, while the credibility of La Liga continues to take hits from its own rulebook.
Until there is a more transparent and consistent standard for discipline, accusations of favouritism and bias – whether fair or not – will dominate the conversation.
Mbappe will be looking to bounce back from this episode when Madrid lock horns with Arsenal tomorrow. They need to overturn a three-goal deficit, and he is key to their chances of a comeback.
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