Ethan Mbappe apologises after first Champions League red card in Lille defeat

Ethan Mbappe has apologised after being sent off in Lille’s 3-2 defeat by Real Betis in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The 19-year-old Lille midfielder provided an assist during the match, but was shown a straight red card shortly after Real Betis scored their third goal. Mbappe reacted angrily before play resumed and struck one of the visiting players in the face with his elbow.

It was the first red card of Mbappe’s career and the first time a Lille player has been dismissed directly in the club’s UEFA Champions League history.

Mbappe addressed the incident in a message posted on his Instagram Story, accepting responsibility for both his actions and the result.

“I would like to apologise to my team-mates, the coaching staff and the supporters for this unacceptable gesture. The defeat is entirely my fault and I take responsibility. I left my team-mates in a difficult position in the biggest competition. I am sorry,” he wrote.

Lille had gone into the interval ahead but their advantage disappeared early in the second half. Real Betis scored twice in less than 10 minutes to turn the match around, before Mbappe’s dismissal made Lille’s task even more difficult.

The result continues Lille’s poor record in their opening fixture of the UEFA Champions League. According to French newspaper L’Equipe, the club have never won their first match in the competition, drawing three and losing six.

Mbappe’s sending-off was the defining moment of a difficult night for Lille, who had initially appeared to be in control after taking a half-time lead. His assist had contributed positively to the team’s performance, but his reaction after Real Betis moved further ahead left Lille a player short for the remainder of the match.

The incident also created an unwanted personal landmark for Mbappe. It was not only his first dismissal at senior level, but a direct red card that placed him in the competition’s record books for Lille.

His public apology came soon after the final whistle, with the player acknowledging that his actions had harmed his team-mates in one of football’s biggest club competitions. Lille were unable to recover from the two-goal burst at the start of the second half and ultimately suffered a 3-2 defeat against Real Betis.