Manchester United loanee Eric Bailly has been handed a seven-match ban following his Kung-fu challenge in the French Cup earlier this month, La Provence report.
The Ivorian is currently on a season-long loan deal at Marseille, but things have not gone smooth for him.
Bailly has struggled to cement a regular starting role in the league games while he has also picked up untimely injuries to keep him out of manager Igor Tudor’s plans.
He is now set to be sidelined for a prolonged period of time following his bizarre Kung-fu kick on Hyeres midfielder Almike Moussa N’Diaye in the French Cup round of 32.
The centre-back’s right foot connected with the right hand side of N’Diaye’s chest. The incident was so severe that the midfielder had to be transported to the hospital.
N’Diaye suffered a few broken ribs as well as minor liver and lung damage, but luckily he is on the road to recovery. Bailly has now been handed a seven-match suspension.
The disciplinary committee of the French Football Federation initially proposed an eight or nine-game ban, but it was reduced to seven due to Bailly’s good behaviour over the years.
Bailly has already served two of those games against Troyes and Lorient. He will miss the next five games for Marseille before he is considered to make the matchday squad.
Les Phoceens have the option to buy Bailly for €6 million at the end of the season, but judging by his mixed fortunes this term, the club could decide against triggering the clause.
In case that happens, United may still look to part ways with him in the summer as manager Erik ten Hag is unlikely to assure him with regular first-team football at United.
Bailly had a good pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand last year, but he was not prepared to stay put with the club as he wanted consistent playing time elsewhere.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
