Ethan Mbappé faces up to five Champions League matches suspension for blow to Natan's face

Ethan Mbappé could miss a significant portion of the Champions League league phase following his direct red card in Lille’s 3-2 defeat to Real Betis on September 17, in the competition’s opening matchday. The 19-year-old midfielder received a red card in the 56th minute for an intentional blow to the face of defender Natan.

The player is already suspended for Lille’s next European match on October 13 away at Arsenal. But according to L’Équipe, the sanction could go well beyond a simple automatic one-match ban.

Article 15 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations provides for three matches suspension for acts classified as “brutal conduct” or “assault”. If UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body determines the act constitutes “serious assault” after reviewing the referee’s report, the suspension could rise to five matches, depriving Mbappé of a significant portion of the league phase.

UEFA’s verdict is expected before the end of September. Lille and its player will then have the right to appeal.

On Instagram, Ethan Mbappé quickly apologized. “I want to apologize to my teammates, staff, and supporters for this unacceptable gesture. The defeat is entirely my fault, I take responsibility for it. I left my teammates in difficulty in the greatest of competitions. Sorry,” he wrote.