Yellow cards carry heavier consequences in the new Champions League format, with two additional games in the league phase increasing the risk of suspension for players across Europe.
How yellow card suspensions work under UEFA’s updated format
The accumulation of yellow cards in this revamped Champions League matters more than ever. The league phase now features eight games instead of the previous six, and 16 teams must also contest two additional playoff games. That expanded calendar increases the likelihood of suspensions at decisive moments in the tournament.
A first suspension is triggered after three yellow cards, with further bans imposed after every odd-numbered caution that follows, including the fifth, seventh and ninth.
Article 63 of the Champions League regulations defines the system in detail.
63.01. As a general rule, a player or team official sent off by the referee is automatically suspended for the next game in a UEFA club competition, meaning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League or UEFA Super Cup. In the case of a serious offense, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body may increase the sanction, including extending it to other competitions.
63.02. In cases of repeated cautions, before the league phase players and team officials are suspended for the next game after three yellow cards that did not result in a red card, and after any subsequent odd-numbered caution such as the fifth or seventh. Exceptionally, after the completion of every two rounds in a UEFA club competition in which a player was registered on a club list and eligible to play, the number of yellow cards received that did not lead to a suspension is reduced by one. From the first game of the league phase onward, players and team officials are suspended for the next game after three yellow cards that did not result in a red card, and after any subsequent odd-numbered caution.
63.04. All yellow cards expire at the end of the quarterfinals and do not carry over to the semifinals.
Players one booking away from suspension
Several high-profile names are now walking a disciplinary tightrope as the competition intensifies.
Inter: Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martínez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool: Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones.
Galatasaray: Okan Buruk (head coach), Ismail Jakobs, Mario Lemina and Davinson Sánchez.
Monaco: Mohammed Salisu and Aleksandr Golovin.
Juventus: Juan David Cabal, Andrea Cambiasso, Lloyd Kelly and Manuel Locatelli.
Barcelona: Marc Casadó, Fermín López and Gerard Martín.
Chelsea: Enzo Fernández and Andrey Santos.
Benfica: Dodi Lukebakio and Nicolás Otamendi.
Sporting CP: Maxi Araújo, Pedro Antonio Pereira and Luis Suárez.
Club Brugge: Raphaen Nwadike.
Bayer Leverkusen: Christian Kofane.
Borussia Dortmund: Karim Adeyemi.
Arsenal: Christian Nørgaard.
Atlético Madrid: Pablo Barrios, Robin Le Normand, Clément Lenglet, Giuliano Simeone and Diego Simeone (head coach).
Atalanta: Marten de Roon and Yunus Musah.
Newcastle United: Joelinton, Daniel Burn and Malick Thiaw.T
Tottenham Hotspur: Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani.
Paris Saint-Germain: Nuno Mendes.
Olympiacos: Dani García and Mehdi Taremi.
Qarabag: Matheus da Silva and Kevin Medina.Bayern Munich: Michael Olise.
Bodø/Glimt: Sondre Auklend and Patrick Berg.
Manchester City: Savinho and Nico O’Reilly.