Ian Wright slammed UEFA’s suspension rules after Spain beat Euro 2024 hosts Germany to reach the semi-finals.
Spain secured their place in the semis with a 2-1 extra-time win over Germany but the dramatic victory came at a cost.
Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand both received their second yellow cards of the tournament against Germany, meaning they are suspended for the semi-final.
Knowing he was already suspended for Spain’s next game, Carvajal made a cynical challenge late on to receive another booking and leave Luis de la Fuente’s side down to ten men for the final few minutes.
Alvaro Morata was also believed to be shown a yellow card while celebrating Spain’s late winner but he later confirmed it was in fact given to team-mate Fabian Ruiz.
Under UEFA rules, yellow cards are reset after the quarter-final stage, meaning players who receive a booking in the semi-final will not be suspended for the final.
UEFA’s Article 54 says: ‘Cautions from matches in the final tournament that have not resulted in a suspension expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.’
But players who picked up two yellow cards before the semi-finals will not be eligible to play in the last-four fixtures.
‘That’s ridiculous,’ ex-England and Arsenal striker Wright said on ITV when it was pointed out to him that Spain would be without several key players in the semis.
‘We’re five games in now so you can get booked in the first game and then the fourth game and miss the semi-final.
‘It’s too much. When these players [for Spain] settle down, some of them will realise they’re missing a semi-final.’
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane added: ‘They won’t be too worried in the dressing room. You’ve won the game and you’ve got a squad of players. You have to deal with.
‘It could be worse, you could miss a final. At least there’s an opportunity to get to the final.
‘I do agree but players know the rules and there were some daft yellow cards there, you can’t defend them that much.’
Spain will face France or Portugal in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, while Germany exit their home tournament at the quarter-final stage.
‘It was incredible,’ ex-Scotland international Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘You had no idea where it was going to go.
‘You talk about tactics and systems but it became much more human than that. It was about who was going to be least exhausted and who would switch off for that split second. And it turned out to be the Germans.
‘I do feel sorry for them, they have been great hosts and improved as the tournament has gone along.
‘They looked like they were going to cruise this, but well done to Spain. They are not just a pretty team, they have grit as well.
‘But they also have a lot of suspensions so will find it hard to get past whoever they play in the semi-final.’
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