Ethan Mbappe banned for 3 Champions League games after elbowing opponent

LILLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 08: Ethan Mbappe of LOSC Lille looks dejected as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between LOSC Lille and Real Betis Balompie at Stade Pierre Mauroy on September 08, 2026 in Lille, France.
Franco Arland / Getty Images Sport / Getty

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Ethan Mbappé will serve a three-game ban in the Champions League for his red card in an opening loss against Real Betis, UEFA said Monday.

Mbappé had been charged with “assaulting another player” for striking Betis defender Natan with an elbow during the Spanish side’s 3-2 win at Lille three weeks ago. Natan had appeared to say something as he passed behind Mbappé, whose reaction was spotted on video review.

It was just a third career game in the Champions League for the 19-year-old younger brother of Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé.

Ethan Mbappé faced a mandatory ban for Lille’s visit to Arsenal on Oct. 13 and now also will miss hosting Galatasaray and an away game at Bodø/Glimt. He can return Nov. 25 when Lille hosts Bayern Munich.

Mbappé is currently with the France Under-21 team playing qualifying games for the European Championship, being co-hosted in June by Albania and Serbia.

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