Euro 2024 is reaching its thrilling climax with two tantalizing semifinal clashes lined up for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Spain were the first to secure their spot in the final four, pulling off a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Germany in extra time. France kept their cool to edge out Portugal in a tense penalty shootout and earn a chance to face La Roja.
England joined the party with a dramatic shootout win over Switzerland, setting up a showdown with the Netherlands, who displayed grit and determination to come from behind and defeat Turkey 2-1.
However, this hard-fought progress carries with it the risk of players earning a ban for the semifinals or the final, should they get there.
Ahead of the semifinals kicking off, The Sporting News looks at the suspension picture, and how it impacts the selection pools at coaches' disposal for the high-stakes grand finale.
MORE: Which players are suspended for Euro 2024 semifinals?
Can players be suspended for Euro 2024 semifinals?
Any player receiving a red card during any point of Euro 2024 will automatically be issued with a one-match ban. This applies to straight red cards, or dismissals following two yellow cards in the same game.
However, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body could increase that punishment if it believed that the offence warranted more than the automatic suspension. Any player sent off in the final will see their suspension carried over to the country's next competitive match.
A player is suspended for their team's next match if they receive two yellow cards in two different games from Matchday 1 to 5. That is the reason Marc Guehi was banned for England's quarterfinal after he was booked in the goalless draw with Slovenia and then again in the Three Lions' 2-1 victory over Slovakia in the Round of 16.
If a player receives one yellow card over the first four matchdays and then a second in the quarterfinals, they are ruled out for the semifinals. That is why Spain duo Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand will play no part in Tuesday's showdown against France.
Le Normand picked up a booking in the 29th minute of their quarterfinal against Germany. Carvajal saw yellow in the 100th minute, which alone would have been enough to sideline him for the next game, but the Real Madrid veteran then committed a tactical foul to thwart a late German counterattack, earning himself a second yellow and an inevitable sending-off. He will be back in contention for the final, if Spain progress.
It was initially feared that La Roja captain Alvaro Morata would also miss the match with reports that the striker had received a second yellow for celebrating Mikel Merino's late winner. However, UEFA and the player himself later revealed to the media that he had not been booked.
A player can be handed a two-match ban if they pick up four yellow cards ahead of the quarterfinal stage, but nobody managed to do that.
Can players be suspended for Euro 2024 final?
Current rules state all bookings are wiped after the quarterfinals, meaning a player cannot miss the final due to yellow-card accumulation. So, everyone on one (or three as in the case of Spain midfielder Rodri) is now off the hook.
A player can only be suspended for the final if they receive a red card in the semifinals.
