Real Madrid duo free to play vs Arsenal in Champions League after UEFA verdict
A boost for the Spanish champions.
Real Madrid duo Kylian Mbappe and Antonio Rudiger are free to play in the Champions League clash against Arsenal, UEFA confirmed on Friday.
Both players, along with teammates Vinicius Jr and Dani Ceballos, faced a probe from UEFA’s disciplinary committee ahead of Tuesday’s showdown.
Arsenal host Real Madrid at the Emirates for the first leg of their quarter-final tie and it was reported Mbappe and Rudiger could’ve been suspended.
The four players were placed under investigation for their wild celebrations after the Champions League last-16 victory over rivals Atletico Madrid.
Mbappe and Rudiger were in more danger of punishment than Vinicius Jr and Ceballos after they were accused of goading Atletico Madrid fans.
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Rudiger performed an alleged throat-slitting gesture while viral social media videos showed Mbappe grabbing his crotch towards supporters.
UEFA has decided that all four players are free to play against Arsenal, although three of the four stars have not totally escaped punishment.
Mbappe and Rudiger have been slapped with suspended one-game bans for ‘violating the basic rules of decent conduct’, although it should be noted that they are subject to a one-year probationary period.
Meanwhile, Rudiger has been fined €40,000, Mbappe has been fined €30,000 and Ceballos has been fined €20,000.
Vinicius Jr is the only player out of the four Real Madrid stars to avoid any type of punishment.
A UEFA statement read: ‘Following the investigation of a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector, disciplinary proceedings were opened against the following Real Madrid CF players, Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Daniel Ceballos Fernández for potentially violating the basic rules of decent conduct (Art. 11(2)(b) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations).
‘No disciplinary proceedings were opened against Real Madrid CF player, Vinícius Júnior.
‘The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has taken the following decisions:
‘To fine Real Madrid CF player, Antonio Rüdiger, €40,000 and to suspend him for a total of one (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible for violating the basic rules of decent conduct.
‘Said suspension is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one (1) year, starting from the date of the present decision.
‘To fine Real Madrid CF player, Kylian Mbappé, €30,000 and to suspend him for a total of one (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible for violating the basic rules of decent conduct.
‘Said suspension is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one (1) year, starting from the date of the present decision.
‘To fine Real Madrid CF player, Daniel Ceballos Fernández, €20,000 for violating the basic rules of decent conduct.’
