FIFA Sanctions Real Madrid Players Ahead of Champions League Quarter-Final Against Arsenal
FIFA has imposed sanctions on several Real Madrid players following incidents during their Champions League match against Atlético Madrid on March 12. These disciplinary measures will affect Madrid’s squad for their upcoming quarter-final tie against Arsenal.
Among those penalized are Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Ceballos, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Mbappé and Ceballos are facing suspensions for indecent gestures, Rüdiger for a throat-slitting motion, and Vinícius Jr. for provocative actions toward fans. Additionally, Tchouaméni has been suspended after accumulating his third yellow card of the tournament.
As a result, all five players will miss the first leg on April 8, posing a significant challenge for Real Madrid, particularly with the absence of key attackers like Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. Manager Carlo Ancelotti remains hopeful that UEFA’s review will clear some of the players, emphasizing their celebrations were not intended to cause offense.
Arsenal, meanwhile, has its own concerns. Raheem Sterling is suspended for the first leg due to yellow card accumulation, while Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber risk missing the second leg if they receive another booking.
With both teams facing lineup disruptions, the upcoming clash promises to be a test of depth and tactical adaptability, adding further intrigue to this high-stakes European showdown.
