Why Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong was shown straight red card for foul on Kylian Mbappe

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong saw red at the end of Sunday’s 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The Netherlands international was penalised for a foul on Kylian Mbappe, with referee José Luis Munuera Montero explaining in his match report why De Jong was handed his marching orders.

“He was sent off for the following reason: for making a tackle against an opponent with excessive force in a challenge for the ball,” he wrote.

There was some support for De Jong, particularly as the game saw plenty of other tough challenges. Dutch legend Marco van Basten felt the Barca star had been hard done by.

“I think he half-slipped,” he told Ziggo Sport. “It’s a very unfortunate moment, and I think you have to be sensitive to that as a referee, despite it being a hectic match. You’re supposedly coming in with a straight leg. In the replays, it looks really bad, but when you see it happen, it’s not so bad.”

De Jong will now serve a one-match ban which means he will not be able to play in Barcelona’s next game which is a Copa del Rey last 16 tie against Racing on Thursday.

Source: barcablaugranes.com