When are yellow cards wiped in the Champions League? Vinicius, Bellingham near suspension

Some had suggested that the Champions League has failed to live up to its illustrious reputation this season, but that changed in dramatic style after the quarter-final draw served up four sensational fixtures. Eight of the best teams that European soccer has to offer have been going head-to-head in a series of two-legged ties, with the Wembley Stadium final moving closer into view.

The margins are always fine in the knockout stages of the Champions League. A misplaced pass or an errant touch can be fatal, a single moment of magic can transform despondency into delight. With so little to choose between these European superpowers the absence of key players can prove decisive.

UEFA doles out suspensions for the accumulation of yellow cards, a rule that has seen many big players miss many big games over the years. We take a look at the UCL suspension rules for 2023/24 and who might be affected from the quarter-finals match-ups.

When are yellow cards wiped in the Champions League?

In the UEFA Champions League, yellow cards are reset once the quarter-finals are concluded. This rule was implemented in the 2014/2015 season to prevent players from missing the Champions League final due to accumulated yellow cards, as happened to former Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso in the 2014 Lisbon final.

This means that the yellow card count was active for the quarter-final games.

Any player who accumulates three yellow cards is hit with a one-game suspension in the Champions League. Following that initial suspension, another one-match ban will be doled out when the player reaches an odd number of bookings (five, seven, etc.). If a player receives their third (or fifth, seventh...) yellow card in the second leg of the quarter-finals and their team advances, they will be unable to play in the first leg of the semi-finals. The reset ahead of the semi-finals clears all players’ accumulated cards, making it impossible to miss the final due to accumulation.

Which players could miss the Champions League semi-final?

As the quarter final second legs arrived, there were several players walking the disciplinary tightrope, knowing that they were just one yellow card away from a suspension for the semi-final first leg.

On Tuesday night, PSG knocked out Barcelona to progress and their at-risk players – Ousmane Dembélé, Lucas Hernández, Milan Škriniar, Manuel Ugarte, Vitinho – all avoided being carded. As Dortmund overcame Atlético Madrid to join the French giants, they too saw the slate wiped clean.

For Wednesday’s games, tensions couldn’t be greater. Arsenal travelled to face Bayern Munich with both Declan Rice and Kai Havertz a booking away from missing the next match. Leon Goretzka and Sasha Boye were in a similar situation for the Germans, with Alphonso Davies missing this one after his name was taken in the game at The Emirates.

Rúben Dias will have to be careful in Manchester, as will Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr. when Real Madrid take on City. Carlo Ancelotti is dealing with not having Aurélien Tchouaméni after his yellow in Spain.

In every single team there are players who are just one mistimed challenge or ill-advised word away from a ban. Some teams, however, are in a more precarious position than other.