Manchester City’s Kyle Walker to miss three games in Europe.© AFP
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has been banned from three European games after his Champions League red card against RB Leipzig. The England right-back was sent off for a nasty foul on striker Andre Silva in the 82nd minute of City’s final group stage match in the Champions League on December 7. City’s Champions League last-16 draw against Sporting Lisbon. UEFA labeled the challenge an “attack” on their disciplinary charge. Walker will also miss the quarter-final first leg if City beat Sporting, or their first game in European competition next season.
City lost the game in Leipzig 2-1, but they were already assured of a first place in Group A, making the 31-year-old’s tackle unnecessary.
Walker’s suspension means Pep Guardiola is now counting the cost of his decision to put up a strong side for a dead rubber.
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“The red card hurts us, especially for the round of 16. Kyle Walker is an important player for us and there is no need to lose him in this way. I hope he learns from this,” Guardiola said immediately after the game. Leipzig.
City will meet Sporting in the first leg in Lisbon on February 15, with the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 9.
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