PSG have Champions League suspension risk for potential Arsenal semi-final if they beat Aston Villa

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side are potentially 90 minutes away from securing a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Gunners ran riot against Real Madrid seven days ago and they take a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their quarter-final showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.

Arsenal are red-hot favourites to progress to the final four of the competition but you can never rule out Los Blancos given their history in the competition. After all, an early goal for Carlo Ancelotti's side and it will be very much game on.

There is of course the prospect of the game going to extra time if it finishes level on aggregate after 90 minutes in the Spanish capital. Arsenal will be hoping that is not the case and that they can put the tie to bed as early as possible.

If Arsenal do indeed secure a place in the final four, they look on course to play PSG as things stand right now. The French side travel to Aston Villa on Tuesday evening holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg after recovering from a goal down following Morgan Rogers' opener.

Luis Enrique's side have wowed in the competition so far this season and many are tipping them to finally get their hands on the famous trophy. Enrique has formed a very talented side in the French capital, with players such as Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue just some of those flourishing under him.

However, there is the possibility of one of their key players missing out on the first leg of a potential semi-final showdown. Spain international Fabian Ruiz is the player in question as he is currently one yellow card away from picking up a one-match ban after obtaining two bookings in this season's edition of the Champions League.

The 29-year-old has been a regular in the competition for PSG this term after starting ten of their 13 games. The ex-Napoli ace has contributed four assists in the Champions League in 2024/25, with three goals and nine assists to his name overall from his 45 appearances in all competitions.

This week's quarter-final second leg are key in regards to UEFA's rules for yellow cards as bookings do expire on completion of the quarter-finals. Article 52.04 states: "Exceptionally, all yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire on completion of the play-offs. They are not carried forward to the group stage. In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals."

Amid confusion that players would escape a one-match ban for the first leg of a prospective semi-final given yellow cards are wiped out after the quarter-finals, they would indeed still serve a one-match ban if they are cautioned for a third time in the competition. This is because they would have picked up three yellow cards prior to the completion of the quarter-final ties, meaning a one-match ban would be given as punishment.

If they do not receive yellow cards then the slate is effectively wiped clean for the semi-finals as their bookings would not be carried forward. As yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals, a player cannot be suspended for the final even if they are cautioned in both legs of a victorious semi-final tie. The only way they could be banned for the Champions League final is if they were to receive a red card in the semi-final second leg or if they were dismissed for violent conduct in the first leg.

In regards to PSG, they have already seen Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes receives one-match suspensions in the Champions League this season for accumulating three yellow cards apiece. The former is back in the squad to face Aston Villa on Tuesday evening after missing the first leg in the French capital one week ago.

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Arsenal face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 16.

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