Exclusive: FIFA yellow card issue reviewed after Liam Delap ban incident for Chelsea
Keith Hackett has reviewed Liam Delap’s yellow card against Palmeiras and the star striker is now set to miss the Club World Cup semi-final as a result.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider why the current rules see players receive a ban after being awarded two yellow cards in five matches.
Chelsea progressed through to the CWC semi-finals thanks to a goal from Cole Palmer and an own-goal from Agustin Giay.
But despite dominating for much of the match, the Blues found it difficult to break through the Brazilian side’s staunch defence.
Chelsea fans were also treated to a highlight of things to come from new winger Estevao, after the 18-year-old scored the equaliser for Palmeiras in his last appearance for the club before switching Sao Paolo for London.
And whilst Enzo Maresca‘s side came away with a victory, the Italian will be without several key players for their next game against Fluminense.
Liam Delap shown second yellow and out of CWC semi-final
With three minutes of added time gone in the first half and half time just moments away, Delap took a look to his right and moved towards Richard Rios.
The Colombian had his eyes trained on the ball and was greeted with the unpleasant sensation of Chelsea’s burly number nine slamming into him.
Delap, making little attempt at winning the ball headed in their general direction, was shown a yellow card by referee Alireza Faghani for his transgression.
But the caution had grander permutations as it means the former Ipswich striker will be unavailable for Chelsea‘s CWC semi-final.
As well as Delap, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill will be suspended, having received two cautions during the tournament.
FIFA and UEFA rules analysed after Liam Delap suspension
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Hackett explained why Delap deserved his yellow card, and also why the rule exists that players can serve a suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards.
He said: “When you are officiating in a tournament such as the Club World Cup, the referees appointed attend many lectures and coaching sessions.
“Former top referees are monitoring their performances very carefully, like the clubs, they are in a competition with an ambition to officiate the final.
“The player [Delap] uses his arm illegally and is rightly penalised and issued with a yellow card.
“FIFA and UEFA have always maintained a strong approach with a small number of yellow cards in a topping-up procedure that leads to a quick suspension, that is why it is important for the managers, coaches and players to be aware of this rule.
“In my era, two yellow cards in two separate games would lead to a suspension; this approach puts value into the yellow and underpins why it is called a caution.”