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Soccer
World Cup group stage set for yellow card amnesty
TL;DR
FIFA plans to implement a yellow card amnesty at the World Cup, wiping all yellow cards at the end of the group stage and after the quarter-finals. Players will still face suspension for two yellow cards during the qualifying matches.
Key points
- FIFA is changing yellow card suspension rules for the World Cup
- A second yellow card amnesty will be added
- Yellow cards will be wiped at the end of the group stage
- Suspensions still apply for two yellow cards in qualifying matches
Players will still be suspended if they pick up two yellow cards within the qualifying batch of fixtures [Getty Images]
Fifa is poised to change the rules around suspensions for accumulated yellow cards at this summer's World Cup.
BBC Sport understands world football's governing body is planning to add a second amnesty stage, wiping all yellow cards at the end of the group stage as well as after the quarter-finals.
Under current rules a team would play five matches to reach the quarter-finals, and any two bookings in those games would lead to a suspension.
The revamped World Cup, with 48 teams instead of 32, includes an extra round and it is felt the jeopardy for a ban is too high.
Without a change to the regulations, Fifa fears that many more players would be walking a suspension tightrope by playing six fixtures through to the last eight - and potentially miss a semi-final.
The topic is on the agenda for discussion when the Fifa Council meets in Vancouver, Canada on Tuesday.
Two bookings will remain the suspension threshold, but the rule change will mean there are only two small pockets of games for players to pick up a ban.
It would require cautions in two of the three group games, or in two of the last 32, last 16 and the quarter-finals, to miss a match.
Q&A
What is the new yellow card amnesty rule for the World Cup?
FIFA will introduce a second yellow card amnesty, eliminating all yellow cards at the end of the group stage and after the quarter-finals.
How many matches must a team play before the yellow card amnesty takes effect?
A team must play five matches to reach the quarter-finals before the yellow card amnesty is applied.
Will players still be suspended for yellow cards during the World Cup?
Yes, players will still be suspended if they receive two yellow cards during the qualifying matches.