Ethan Mbappé banned for 3 Champions League games for elbowing opponent in Lille's loss to Betis
Lille's Ethan Mbappe, left, Betis' Pablo Fornals, right, in action during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Lille and Real Betis in Lille, France, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. Credit: AP/Jean-Francois Badias
NYON, Switzerland — 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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