Aurélien Tchouaméni has been handed a two-match suspension by UEFA and the French Football Federation, meaning he will miss France’s upcoming qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland during the October international break. The ban comes after the Real Madrid midfielder was sent off in his country’s recent 2–1 win over Iceland following a red card upgraded via video review.
As a consequence, Tchouaméni will remain in Madrid during the October break instead of being called up to Les Bleus’ squad. For Real Madrid, the development offers both relief and opportunity: relief that one of their key players won’t be traveling or fatigued by national duty, and opportunity for rest ahead of a demanding stretch of fixtures.
Reports suggest that Tchouaméni’s red card was initially given as a yellow, but after a VAR review, it was upgraded to a straight red. The disciplinary committees issued the sanction after reviewing the challenge.
France’s head coach, Didier Deschamps, must now find alternatives in midfield for the two qualifiers. Names such as Eduardo Camavinga (depending on fitness) may be considered to fill the void.
For Real Madrid and manager Xabi Alonso, Tchouaméni’s absence from the international calendar is a silver lining. The suspension means he can rest, continue training under club supervision, and return fresh for the upcoming challenges in La Liga and European competition.
While the suspension is a setback for France, it also underscores the fine margins that even top players face on the international stage. Tchouaméni’s performances will continue to be monitored, but for now, Real Madrid will benefit from the security of having one of their midfield pillars available and recuperating at home.
Africa Digital News, New York
