NYON, Switzerland — Players on a yellow card will have their bookings voided after the quarterfinals of the Champions League and Europa League, UEFA said Thursday. “As of this season, all yellow cards from the beginning of the group stage will expire on completion of the quarterfinals,” it said. “Bookings will therefore not be carried forward to the semifinals,” it added. UEFA said that it had decided to apply the same rules to its club competitions as those already in place for the European Championship. The decision was made by its emergency panel, given that the 2014-2015 Champions League and Europa League are already under way. Previously, players who picked up yellow cards went into semifinal matches knowing one more booking would see them suspended for a possible final. Russian, Ukrainian clubs kept apart UEFA's Emergency Panel also decided Russian and Ukrainian clubs cannot be drawn against each other in a UEFA competition in the upcoming season. The decision was taken after months of tension between the two countries following Russia's annexation of Crimea and civil unrest in the Russian-speaking east of Ukraine. “In light of the current political situation, the Russian Football Union and the Football Federation of Ukraine have expressed concerns about safety and security in the case of Russian and Ukrainian teams being drawn against each other in UEFA competition,” UEFA said in an official statement. “After evaluating the request and taking into account the safety and security situation in the region, the UEFA Emergency Panel has decided that Ukrainian and Russian teams cannot be drawn against each other until further notice.” After meeting Wednesday the panel also decided to prevent any UEFA competition matches in Israel due to the “current security situation” meaning Israeli clubs must find alternative venues outside of the country for their home legs in the 2014-15 Champions League and Europa League. Simeone, Alonso banned European football's governing body UEFA banned Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso for one match for disciplinary offenses during the Champions League final in May. Simeone was hit with the penalty for having charged onto the pitch at the end of the match during a verbal clash with Real's French defender Raphael Varane. He will be banned from the bench for Atletico's next European match, which will come at the beginning of the 2014-15 Champions League group stage in September. Real beat its archrival 4-1 after extra time in the May 24 final in Lisbon, and UEFA opened a disciplinary probe in the wake of the game. Xabi Alonso was sanctioned for misconduct, and will serve his suspension during the UEFA Super Cup final between Madrid and Europa League winner Sevilla on Aug. 12 in Cardiff, UEFA said. In addition, Atletico and Real were each fined for improper team conduct — a penalty faced by teams who receive five or more cards during matches. Real picked up five, thereby receiving a fine of 18,000 euros ($24,344), while Atletico's seven cards led to a penalty of 21,000 euros. — Agencies
