Mbappe Available for Copa del Rey Final
Despite One-game Ban

Madrid, 16 Apr (ONA) — Real Madrid
striker Kylian Mbappe will be available for the Copa del Rey final against
Barcelona later this month after receiving a one-match ban for his sending off
against Alaves.

The France captain was shown a
straight red card during Madrid’s 1-0 La Liga win last Sunday for a lunge on
Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco.

The referee’s report stated Mbappe
was sent off for violent conduct, which results in a punishment of between one
to three matches.

A three-match ban would have seen
Mbappe miss the Copa del Rey final against their El Clasico rivals on 26 April
2025.

But a commission decided on the most
lenient punishment of a one-match ban, which was aided by the referee’s report
that Mbappe was “disputing the ball”.

“Mbappe: one-match suspension
for a violent incident occurring during the game or as a direct consequence of
a game-related incident, with additional fines in accordance with Article 52 of
the Civil Code,” the Spanish Football Federation said in a statement.

The one-match ban means Mbappe will
miss his club’s La Liga fixture at home to Athletic Club Bilbao on Sunday, 20
April 2025.

Madrid are second in the Spanish La
Liga, four points behind league leaders Barcelona.

Mbappe has scored 33 goals in 49
appearances for Madrid this season.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side host Arsenal
in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finals at the Bernabeu tonight,
seeking to overturn a 3-0 defeat in the first leg in London.

— Ends/Khalid