UEFA eases suspension rules with four yellow cards instead of three

The UEFA has announced a change to its suspension rules for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, as reported by L'Équipe. From now on, a player will receive an automatic suspension after accumulating four yellow cards, instead of the three previously required.

The subsequent punishment thresholds have also been adjusted accordingly: a second suspension arrives at the sixth caution and a third at the eighth, compared to the fifth and seventh before.

The UEFA justified this modification by explaining that the new competition format has altered the ratio between yellow cards and matches played. With the group stage expanding from six to eight matches, plus the addition of round-of-16 ties, the risk of cumulative suspensions had increased disproportionately. The change aims to restore the original balance of the disciplinary system.