Mbappé: VAR Audio Review of his very harsh tackle on the Alavés player

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has published the audios of the VAR review corresponding to matchday 31 of LaLiga, including the play that led to Kylian Mbappé's expulsion in the match between Deportivo Alavés and Real Madrid (0-1). This incident occurred in the 38th minute, when Mbappé made a studs-up tackle on Antonio Blanco, an action that was initially sanctioned with a yellow card but, after the intervention of the VAR, became a straight red card.

Given the seriousness of the tackle, the VAR acted immediately, warning the referee Soto Grado to watch the images of the play. This is the official video of the review of the play that occurred in the 38th minute of the match.

VAR AUDIO REVIEW | Alavés - Real Madrid | Mbappé's Tackle (Minute 38)

In the published audios, you can hear the conversation between the main referee and the VAR assistants evaluating the play. The VAR officials identified that Mbappé's action constituted a dangerous and high-risk tackle for the integrity of the rival player. After this review, they recommended that the referee review the images on the monitor at the edge of the field. Finally, the referee confirmed the seriousness of the foul and decided to expel the French forward.

Conversation between referee Soto Grado and the VAR about Kylian Mbappé's tackle:

• VAR: César, César (warning referee César Soto Grado).
• VAR: I recommend you come and see the monitor for a potential expulsion.
• REFEREE: Okay, let me see it, the impact is high.
• REFEREE: Okay, the impact is high, it goes with intensity, there is torsion, it's a red.
• REFEREE: I take away the yellow and give Kylian Mbappé a red.

How Mbappé reacted after receiving the red card

After receiving the red card in the match against Alavés, Kylian Mbappé reacted in a thoughtful and affected manner. The French forward left the field without protesting, acknowledging the seriousness of his action and assuming his mistake. Once in the locker room, he apologized to both the coaching staff and his teammates for leaving the team with one less player in a key match for the fight for the LaLiga title.

In addition, Mbappé approached the Alavés player, Antonio Blanco, after the match to personally apologize for the harsh tackle. Blanco accepted the apologies and was not injured despite the impact.

According to sources close to the locker room, Mbappé was visibly affected and acknowledged that his reaction was the product of the accumulated frustration from the repeated fouls he had received during the match. From Real Madrid, his sporting character was defended, highlighting that he is not a violent player and that his action was an isolated mistake. Now, Mbappé awaits the decision of the Competition Committee on the sanction he could face, although everything points to him not missing the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.