Champions League, Europa League, Conference League yellow and red cards: How many bookings lead to a suspension? Are they wiped after the league phase? Can a player be suspended for the final?
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
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How many yellow cards lead to a suspension? When are they wiped? Can you miss the final through accrued bookings? All your questions answered.
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How many games is a player suspended for following a red card?
Article 63.01 of the UEFA Champions League regulations
As a rule, a player or team official sent off by the referee is automatically suspended for the next match in a UEFA club competition (i.e. UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League or UEFA Super Cup). In the event of a serious offence, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body is entitled to augment this punishment, including by extending it to other competitions.
How many yellow cards lead to a suspension?
Article 63.02
From the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.).
• Europa League regulations
• Conference League regulations
Are yellow cards wiped after the league phase or during the knockout phase?
Article 63.03
Single yellow cards and pending suspensions are always carried forward to the next stage of the competition, except in the cases described in Article 63.04 below.
Article 63.04
Exceptionally, all yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire on completion of the play-offs. They are not carried forward to the league phase. In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.
Can you be suspended for the final?
Yes, but only after receiving a red card. Because yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals (see Article 63.04), even if a player is cautioned in both legs of a victorious semi-final tie they cannot be suspended for the final.
Do yellow cards expire at the end of the season?
Article 63.05
Cautions and pending yellow-card suspensions from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League or the UEFA Conference League expire at the end of the season.
