Kompany’s request granted: UEFA changes yellow card suspension rule effective immediately | OneFootball

Ahead of last season’s Champions League semifinal matches, FC Bayern Munich faced the prospect of losing several players due to impending yellow-card suspensions. At the time, Vincent Kompany appealed to UEFA—and apparently with success. 

The European continental governing body has since adjusted the rules regarding yellow-card suspensions. “This suspension rule is too harsh,” Kompany said back in April. The reason was that several Bayern players could have missed the crucial match against PSG.

Previously, the rule was as follows: Starting in the group stage, a one-game suspension was automatically imposed after the third yellow card, and subsequently for every odd-numbered yellow card thereafter. This meant that even a third yellow card in the quarterfinals—potentially the 14th match of the competition—would have resulted in a suspension.

UEFA Adjusts Rule Regarding Yellow Card Suspensions

This rule has now been adjusted. A suspension will only be imposed after the fourth yellow card, and the next suspension will not occur until after the sixth yellow card. This at least provides a little more leeway for the players.

Photo: IMAGO

The new rule takes effect immediately with the start of the new season. Interestingly, Kompany himself was affected by the old suspension rule. He received his third yellow card in the match against Real Madrid (4–3) and was therefore suspended for the crucial first leg against PSG in Paris, which Bayern lost 4–5. He had to watch from the stands and was unable to coach the team during the match, which once again drew criticism.

This new rule also applies to coaches starting with the new season. Incidentally, these changes apply not only to the Champions League but to all three UEFA club competitions. In this way, the association is accommodating all clubs.