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Ethan Mbappé Receives Three-Match Champions League Ban for Elbow Foul

September 29, 2026Евгений Радищев1 мин

Ethan Mbappé will miss Lille's next three Champions League matches after being suspended for an elbow incident. He was sent off early in the second half of the game against Betis Sevilla on September 8, during the first matchday of the Champions League. Lille lost that game 3-2.

The suspension means Mbappé will be unavailable for Lille's upcoming games against Arsenal (October 13), Galatasaray (October 21), and Bodo/Glimt (November 3). He will be eligible to return on November 25 for the match against Bayern Munich, marking the fifth matchday of the group stage.

Mbappé Apologizes for 'Unacceptable Gesture'

The foul occurred in the 56th minute against Betis Sevilla. Mbappé elbowed Brazilian defender Natan, a foul identified by VAR. This incident marred a match where Mbappé had earlier provided an assist for Ayase Ueda's opening goal. Lille, already trailing 3-2 at the time of Mbappé's expulsion, could not recover playing with ten men.

"I want to apologize to my teammates, staff, and supporters for this unacceptable gesture," Ethan Mbappé stated in a social media post. "The defeat is entirely my fault, and I take responsibility. I left my teammates in a difficult position in the most important competition."