As Euro 2024 progresses into its crucial knockout stages, the discipline of players becomes increasingly vital. With the stakes higher than ever, maintaining a full-strength squad is essential for any team aiming to lift the trophy.
The rules around yellow cards and suspensions can significantly impact a team’s journey, and understanding these regulations is key for both players and fans.
The rules regarding yellow cards and suspensions at Euro 2024 are straightforward yet critical. Any player who accumulates two yellow cards will face a one-match suspension. Importantly, yellow cards from the group stage, Round of 16, and quarter-finals are wiped clean before the semi-finals.
Therefore, players who reach the semi-finals without picking up a second yellow card will not carry their previous cautions into that stage. The only way a player can be suspended for the final is by receiving a red card in the semi-final.
England enters the quarter-finals with several players at risk of suspension. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, and Kieran Trippier are all carrying yellow cards.
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One more caution for any of these players in the quarter-final against Switzerland would see them miss the semi-final, should England advance. The Three Lions will already be without Marc Guehi, who is suspended for the quarter-final after accumulating two yellow cards.
For the Netherlands, Denzel Dumfries is a critical player who needs to tread carefully in their knockout game against Turkey. Additionally, Donyell Malen, Jerdy Schouten, and Joey Veerman are all on yellow cards, making the Dutch contingent keenly aware of their disciplinary status.
Switzerland also faces significant disciplinary challenges with captain Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez, Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye, and Vincent Sierro all having received yellow cards. They must be cautious in their encounter with England.
Turkey, meanwhile, has the worst disciplinary record among the remaining teams. They will be without Merih Demiral for both the quarter-final and semi-final due to a suspension for a political gesture celebration. Ismail Yuksek and Orkun Kokcu are also suspended for the quarter-final due to yellow card accumulations. Furthermore, Arda Guler, Mert Gunok, Kenan Yildiz, Kaan Ayhan, Zeki Celik, Mert Mulder, Ugurcan Cakir, and Salih Ozcan are all on yellow cards.
France heads into their semi-final against Spain without any suspended players. Adrien Rabiot missed the quarter-final against Portugal after receiving his second yellow card in the Round of 16 but will be available for the semi-final. Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ousmane Dembele had their yellow cards wiped clean after the quarter-final.
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Spain, however, will be without Dani Carvajal, who was sent off for two yellow cards in their quarter-final win over Germany, and Robin Le Normand, who picked up a suspension-worthy yellow card in the same match. While there were concerns about a suspension for captain Alvaro Morata, it was Fabian Ruiz who received the yellow card.
As Euro 2024 heads into its final stages, the importance of maintaining discipline on the field cannot be overstated. Teams will need to balance aggressive play with caution to ensure their best players remain available. Fans will be watching closely to see how these disciplinary challenges unfold and which teams can navigate the rules to keep their squads intact for the ultimate prize.