Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has been banned for three European matches after his Champions League red card against RB Leipzig.
The England right-back was sent off for an ugly foul on striker Andre Silva in the 82nd minute of City’s final Champions League group match on December 7.
The suspension, handed down by UEFA’s disciplinary body on Friday, rules Walker out of both legs of City’s Champions League last-16 tie against Sporting Lisbon.
UEFA branded the challenge as “assault” on their disciplinary charge sheet.
Walker will also miss the first leg of the quarter-final if City beat Sporting, or their first match in European competition next season.
City lost the Leipzig match 2-1 but they were already assured of top spot in Group A, making the 31-year-old’s tackle unnecessary.
Walker’s ban means Pep Guardiola is now counting the cost of his decision to field a strong side for a dead rubber.
“The red card hurts us, especially for the round of 16. Kyle Walker is an important player for us and is unnecessary to lose him like this. I hope he learns from this,” Guardiola said immediately after the Leipzig game.
City face Sporting in the first leg in Lisbon on February 15, with the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 9.
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoSon scores but Thailand hold South Korea in World Cup qualifier
Son Heung-min scored but South Korea were held 1-1 at home by Thailand in...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 1 month agoJapan-N. Korea World Cup game to stay in Pyongyang, JFA says
Japan’s World Cup qualifier against North Korea will be played in Pyongyang as planned...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoGerman ex-FA bosses on trial over World Cup tax evasion
Three German ex-top football officials went on trial on Monday in a 13.7-million-euro ($14.8...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 2 months agoSaudi Arabia formally launches bid for 2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia formally launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup on Friday,...
By AFP