World Cup suspension guidelines as England battle Argentina with Elliot Anderson booked

Need to know

England are battling Argentina in a World Cup semi-final and the Three Lions have already had one superstar booked and walking a tightrope to try and avoid suspension

World Cup suspension rules ahead of World Cup final as England face Argentina in semi-final showdown:

• How many England players are at risk of suspension and missing out on playing in a World Cup final if England are able to beat Argentina?
• There were no England players on a yellow card going into the semi-final battle with the reigning world champions. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly all faced potential suspension against the South American giants if they had received bookings in the quarter-final victory over Norway, but all four players managed to avoided being cautioned by the referee.
• However, in the first half of the encounter against Lionel Messi and co, midfielder Elliot Anderson found himself in American referee Ismail Elfath’s notebook.
• Despite England players including Anderson being the victim of multiple Argentina fouls in the first half, the new Manchester City man clattered into Messi when he was on a mazy run and could have no complaints.
• He now must walk a tightrope in the second half and ensure he does not risk being potentially banned for the biggest game of his life.
• FIFA tournament regulations stipulate that players who’ve accumulated two yellow cards in separate matches throughout the tournament are handed a one-match ban. However, these tallies are reset at various points during the World Cup.
• What happens after the semi-final then? Existing yellow cards were wiped clean after the quarter-final stage, meaning no player can miss the World Cup final due to receiving a yellow card in the semi-final. Only a red card in the final four stage can result in a suspension for the final.
• Who was already suspended against Argentina? Jarell Quansah remains the only England player suspended for the match against the South American nation. The Bayer Leverkusen defender was given a straight red against Mexico for a hefty challenge on Jesus Gallardo.
• Although FIFA disciplinary rules stipulate that a straight red card leads to a one-match suspension, the governing body extended this to two matches after his tackle was judged as serious foul play. The 23 year old sat out the Norway match and will also miss the Argentina game, but he is expected to be available for the World Cup final, should England make it that far.