Aston Villa’s hero goalkeeper Emi Martinez wasn’t sent off during their thrilling Europa Conference League quarter-final against Lille, despite receiving two yellow cards.
The game ended 3-3 on aggregate after Lille won the second leg 2-1, forcing a penalty shootout. Martinez, already booked in the 39th minute, received a second yellow for gamesmanship during the shootout. However, to everyone’s surprise, he was allowed to stay on the pitch, causing confusion at the stadium.
There’s currently no clear answer on whether Martinez will face further punishment. UEFA is investigating the unusual situation, as his two bookings bring his total for the tournament to three. Typically, three yellows mean a one-match ban.
The confusion stems from a specific rule: yellow cards from the game do not carry over to the penalty shootout. This means even though Martinez received two yellows, he wasn’t automatically sent off because they happened during regular and extra time. However, he could still be suspended based on the accumulated yellows.
There’s a glimmer of hope for Villa. Yellow cards typically expire after the quarter-finals and don’t transfer to the next round. However, UEFA is still reviewing the situation.
For clarity, the law states that only red cards issued during the game prevent a player from participating in the shootout. Players can still receive yellow cards during the shootout itself, but they don’t translate to a red card or a suspension.
Martinez, dubbed the “king of the dark arts” for his penalty-saving skills, believes it was his destiny to shine. He expressed frustration about his first yellow, claiming it was unfair as Villa was already losing. He also questioned the second yellow for requesting a ball during the shootout.
UEFA’s investigation will determine whether Martinez faces additional punishment. Villa fans can hold onto the hope that the accumulated yellow cards won’t translate to a suspension for their star goalkeeper in the semi-finals.
