Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe will be eligible for the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, after receiving just a one-match suspension for his red card against Alaves.
The French captain was sent off during Madrid’s 1-0 La Liga victory on Sunday following a challenge on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco. The referee’s report classified the incident as violent conduct, which typically carries a suspension of one to three matches.
Had the maximum three-game ban been issued, Mbappe would have missed the highly anticipated El Clasico final on April 26. However, the disciplinary committee opted for the most lenient punishment, citing the referee’s note that Mbappe was “disputing the ball” at the time of the incident.
“The player is handed a one-match suspension for a violent incident that occurred during or as a direct consequence of a game-related action, along with a financial penalty in accordance with Article 52 of the Civil Code,” the Spanish Football Federation said in an official statement.
As a result, Mbappe will sit out Madrid’s upcoming La Liga fixture at home against Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday, April 20.
Real Madrid are currently second in the league standings, four points behind leaders Barcelona.
Mbappe has been a standout performer this season, scoring 33 goals in 49 appearances for Los Blancos.
Up next, Carlo Ancelotti’s side face Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. Madrid will look to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg in London.