Curious rule

Goalie saw two yellow cards – but was not sent off

Emiliano Martinez saw his second yellow card for this gesture in the penalty shoot-out, but was allowed to continue playing.(Bild: APA/AFP/Sameer Al-DOUMY)

Excitement surrounding Argentina's World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez: The Aston Villa goalkeeper stayed on the pitch despite receiving two yellow cards - and secured his team's place in the Conference League semi-finals.

In minute 39 against OSC Lille, Martinez was cautioned for the first time for time-wasting. In the penalty shoot-out, he saved a spot-kick from Lille's Nabil Bentaleb and then provoked the crowd by putting his finger to his lips and asking them to be silent.

Curious rule
Nevertheless, Martinez was allowed to stay on the pitch. According to the current UEFA regulations, a player is not punished with a yellow-red card if he receives a second yellow card in the penalty shoot-out. The yellow card from regular time is therefore not carried over into the penalty shoot-out. This is to prevent a goalkeeper from having to be substituted during the penalty shoot-out. This rule was laid down by the IFAB (International Football Association Board, the official governing body of the sport) and FIFA in 2020.

Luckily for the visitors from England, Martinez also saved Benjamin Andre's penalty after his second yellow card. Aston Villa will now face Olympiakos Piraeus in the semi-finals.