How Eric Bailly’s seven-game suspension impacts potential permanent move to Marseille from Manchester United

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Manchester United loanee Eric Bailly has been handed a seven-game suspension for his kung-Fu kick in Marseille’s Coupe de France win against Hyeres earlier this month, reports La Provence.

The disciplinary committee of the French Football Federation handed the Ivory Coast international the ban following his red card after 15 minutes against the amateur side.

Bailly’s reckless challenge saw the former Villarreal man’s raised foot hit Almike Moussa N’Diaye’s chest.

N’Diaye was hospitalised after leaving the pitch on the stretcher and United’s number three visited N’Diaye in hospital.

How Eric Bailly’s seven-game suspension impacts potential permanent move to Marseille from Manchester United

The 28-year-old has already served two of the seven-match suspension having missed Igor Tudor side’s Ligue 1 victories against Troyes and Lorient.

Speaking ahead of Marseille’s Coupe de France clash against Rennes tomorrow night, Tudor felt that the length of Bailly’s ban was “excessive”.

Speaking via L’Equipe, the Croat said: “I think the penalty is excessive but the decision is taken now, we can no longer do anything about it.

“We have the resources to be able to do differently, we have already played two games without him, tomorrow (Friday) we will play another game, then there are only four games left.”

Bailly’s lengthy suspension is another setback in what has been yet another frustrating campaign for the centre-back.

The Ivorian, who was brought to Old Trafford by Jose Mourinho, completed his season-long loan move to Marseille in August.

As well as covering Bailly’s wages, The Athletic reported that Marseille have an obligation to buy the defender for €6million (£5m) if they qualify for the Champions League and he plays a certain number of games.

While the number of games Bailly needs to play hasn’t been specified – he has only played 12 times for the French giants so far this season.

l’OM, who finished bottom of their Champions League group, sit third in Ligue 1 at the 2022-23 campaign’s halfway stage and are two points off second place which would secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Third place in Ligue 1 would only see Marseille reach the Champions League qualifiers, which by the time they come to being played Bailly could have already returned to Carrington.