As t-online learned, UEFA had already kept a close eye on this issue. Kompany’s words fueled the discussion with further arguments, at least behind the scenes. According to t-online information, other trainers also share Kompany’s opinion. The Club Competitions Committee (CCC), an advisory body made up of 21 people, mostly representatives of individual clubs, is responsible for a possible proposal for change.
Both Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director Fernando Carro and Borussia Dortmund’s president Hans-Joachim Watzke, who is even deputy chairman, are members of the committee. Carro told t-online the following about the matter: “I personally share Vincent Kompany’s assessment. However, there are different positions on this in UEFA’s Club Competitions Committee.” And further: “We are currently discussing this intensively in this committee and will make a decision in due course.”
In response to a t-online request, Watzke asked for understanding that he could not comment on the issue at this time given his special role within the committee.
However, the CCC cannot change the existing rules on its own anyway. Ultimately, Uefa determines after how many cards a ban will be imposed in its competitions.
If the CCC were to agree on a possible solution, it would then have to forward some kind of resolution to the UEFA Executive Committee for approval. This could then decide on possible changes at one of the next meetings – for example as part of the Champions League draw for the coming season.
At the moment it is difficult to say whether this would happen in time for next season or not – and whether a change will ultimately be made at all. The most logical adjustment would probably be to simply increase the number of yellow cards to four before a suspension is due.
Another thing that is specifically on the table is to possibly initially differentiate between players and coaches. An example: In the Bundesliga, players are banned after five yellow cards, coaches after four. The main premise that the committee is pursuing remains that any solution must continue to ensure that the number of warnings collected continues to have a deterrent effect. An increased limit should not be a free pass for more unfair play.
