Eric Bailly is facing the prospect of an extended suspension after his horrific challenge hospitalised an opponent.
Manchester United defender Bailly is spending the season on loan at Marseille and was shown a red card just 15 minutes into his side's Coupe de France tie with fourth-tier team Hyeres on Saturday. There could be little argument from the Ivorian, who catastrophically mistimed an attempt to reach a bouncing ball and planted his boot studs into the chest of Almike Moussa N'Diaye.
The horror challenge left N'Diaye in a heap on the floor and in need of treatment before he was stretchered off the field and rushed to hospital in an ambulance for precautionary checks. The dismissal didn't prove to be costly on the day for Marseille, as they advanced to the round of 32 with a 2-0 win, with another former United man in Alexis Sanchez getting on the scoresheet. However, the punishment doesn't appear to be over for Bailly.
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According to the French publication RMC Sport, the 28-year-old could be banned for between four and six games by the Federal Disciplinary Commission. If his standard suspension is extended, Bailly will miss crucial fixtures against fellow Champions League hopefuls Monaco and Lorient.
In the aftermath of the challenge, Hyeres president Mourad Boudjellal explained N'Diaye had been taken to intensive care. He told AFP: "He was transferred to Hospital Nord in Marseille and they admitted him to intensive care as a precaution. We pray that everything goes well for him. He's a great lad and one of our best players."
However, assistant coach Zaki Noubir moved to downplay the seriousness of the injury. He said N'Diaye was taken to intensive care out of "more fear than harm" and added the damage was "nothing serious, perhaps a concussion."
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