UEFA raises yellow-card suspension threshold and changes stadium-clock rules

UEFA has approved two changes affecting the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League from the coming season, including a higher yellow-card threshold for automatic suspensions and new rules governing stadium clocks.

The changes have been communicated to European national associations and clubs, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

The first amendment concerns the disciplinary system used during the league phase of all three competitions. Under the previous regulations, players and coaching staff members were suspended for the next match in the same competition after receiving three yellow cards that did not result in a red card. Further suspensions were then imposed after every additional individual yellow card, meaning bans followed the fifth, seventh, ninth bookings and so on.

That system was introduced when the league-phase format increased the number of matches played by each club in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League from six to eight. The longer phase altered the ratio between matches and bookings, creating a greater risk of suspensions through accumulated yellow cards.

From this season, the initial suspension threshold will rise from three yellow cards to four. Subsequent bans will still be triggered after every further two bookings, as under the previous system. Players or staff members will therefore be suspended after receiving their fourth, sixth, eighth, 10th yellow cards and so on.

The same approach has also been applied to the UEFA Conference League. UEFA considered that necessary because players can move to clubs taking part in different European competitions during the winter transfer window.

The new Article 63.2 in the regulations for the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League states: “Starting from the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next match in the competition after receiving four yellow cards that have not resulted in a red card, as well as after any subsequent yellow card, namely the sixth, eighth, etc.”

The second change relates to the use of stadium clocks. Previously, match organisers were not allowed to display the elapsed time after the end of normal time in either half, or during extra time.

The rule dated back to a period when supporters did not routinely follow matches live on mobile devices and when the use of images in the technical areas around the pitch was prohibited.

UEFA has now judged that developments in technology and match organisation have made the regulation outdated. The standard wording in the regulations for all UEFA competitions has consequently been amended to state: “Stadium clocks may be used to indicate the elapsed time or the remaining time.”

The former wording required the clocks to stop at the end of normal time in each half, after 45 and 90 minutes respectively. It also applied during extra time, when clocks had to stop after 105 and 120 minutes.

Under the revised arrangement, the additional time in each half must be shown in minutes added to the scheduled playing time, rather than as a continuously running clock. Displays should therefore show 45 minutes plus added time and 90 minutes plus added time, while the same principle applies in extra time at 105 and 120 minutes.