Uefa Changes Match Suspension Rules

European football governing body, Uefa, has changed the rules on yellow cards to reduce playerss risk of missing the Champions League and Europa Cup finals.

Uefa has decided that yellow cards accrued will be wiped out after the last 8 of its club football tournaments.

The rule was first implemented at Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland, but will be used- for the first time- in next seasons European club showpieces.

The Uefa Champions League Trophy.

The governing bodys statement read: The Emergency Panel decided that, as of this season, all yellow cards from the beginning of the group stage will expire on completion of the quarter-finals. Booking will therefor be carried forward to the semi-finals.

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso could only cheer his team-mates from the stands during last seasons Lisbon final victory over neighbours Atletico Madrid, after picking up a third caution in the semi-final win over Bayern Munich.

In 1999, skipper Roy Keane could only join Manchester Uniteds treble victory parade back in Manchester, after picking up a booking in the last four which prevented him from facing Bayern Munich in Barcelona.

Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles of Chelsea and David Alaba, Holger Badstuber and Luis Gustavo of Bayern Munich all missed the 2012 Champions League final for same reason.