Real Madrid Defender Ibrahima Konate has Yellow Card Overturned

Although it was far from the biggest talking point of the game, Real Madrid defender Ibrahima Konate picked up a yellow card in the 1-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday evening. 

This was the Frenchman's fourth yellow card of the season - all of which have come in La Liga - meaning he was already on the tightrope of being just one booking away from receiving a one game suspension for La Liga. 

Instinctively, you may see this stat and think that he needs to improve his discipline. However, in this instance, it is important to cut the defender some slack. For his booking in the win against Villarreal, replays clearly showed that he had not touched the player and that the yellow card was the objectively incorrect decision for the referee to make. 

Well, there is some good news on that front. Indeed so, as it has officially been confirmed that the yellow card has been overturned as a result of it being the wrong decision, and Konate is now back on three bookings in La Liga for this season. 

It's true that it is still not ideal to already be on three yellow cards, despite being one fewer than it otherwise may have been. However, it does hold significance. Before this decision was rescinded, a yellow card against Sevilla this weekend would have seen Konate suspended for El Clasico at the Camp Nou on the 25th 

As we know, Real Madrid will already be without Vinicius through suspension for that game, with the official confirmation earlier on on Wednesday (the 14th) that he will be suspended for the next four league games, which includes the Clasico. So, to have been without the centre back for this game would have made things even worse. 

But, fortunately, he is no longer on that tightrope anymore, and it would take a red card against Sevilla for him to miss that huge game with Barcelona. Even at this early stage of the season, that Clasico is absolutely massive. Anytime the fixture is played it is a big occasion, but a defeat in that game could see the lead already become insurmountable. 

So, with Vinicius unavailable, the importance of having Konate at Jose Mourinho's disposal cannot really be overstated, particularly if Eder Militao is not quite yet ready for that game. Finally, a bit of good news for Real Madrid and the fans.