Marseille star Bailly hit with 7-match ban over horror tackle

Marseille, Jan 19, 2023 (AFP) - Marseille defender Eric Bailly has been suspended for seven matches for his horror flying tackle in a French Cup match which resulted in Almike Moussa Diaye being admitted to intensive care.

Ivory Coast international Bailly, 28, who is on loan from Manchester United, has served two of the seven game ban already -- against Troyes and Lorient.

Bailly was red-carded after just 15 minutes of the tie at fourth division amateur side Hyeres this month when his foot crunched into the chest of N'Diaye.

The stricken Hyeres player was stretchered off before a brief spell in intensive care at a hospital close to the Francis-Turcan stadium in Martigues in southern France.

He was subsequently taken to another hospital in Marseille, 40 kilometres away.

Marseille beat Hyeres 2-0 and play fellow Ligue 1 side Rennes in the last 32 of the Cup on Friday.