PSG suspension latest as Arsenal clash takes twist with Champions League rule explained

have avoided a key player being suspended for their semi-final against thanks to a UEFA rule that wipes out previously earned yellow cards.

side comfortably beat Champions League record-holders across both quarter-final legs to book their place in the next round.

PSG only just managed to survive a heroic comeback by in their second-leg, beating the side by one goal on aggregate having led 5-1 at one point in the game.

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The two sides will now face-off across the two-legged semi-finals hoping to take the next step to the prestigious final in Munich this year. It won't be the first time Arsenal have played the French club this season as they met in the league phase where the Gunners won 2-0.

As the first leg at the Emirates approaches, Les Rouge-et-Bleu's manager Luis Enrique will be thankful he has all his players to face a tough Arsenal side - because he was close to losing one of his star men ahead of the clash.

Spain international Fabian Ruiz is one of the leading forces in the French side's midfield. Much of PSG's attacking play goes through the 29-year-old who was one yellow card away from receiving a one-match ban heading into his club's match at Villa Park.

However, the Spaniard can now play with much more freedom due to his yellow cards being voided due to a special rule in the Champions League.

According to UEFA's official rulebook, : "Exceptionally, all yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire on completion of the play-offs. They are not carried forward to the group stage. In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals."

If Ruiz was shown a yellow card in the quarter-final, the one-match ban would have carried over to the first-leg of the Arsenal clash as it is only yellow cards that get wiped out, not a suspension.

However, UEFA's rule means that a player cannot be suspended for the final even if they are cautioned in both semi-final legs. The only way they would receive a match-ban is if they are shown a red card or dismissed for violent conduct.

For Enrique and his squad, it’s a huge boost—ensuring his midfield maestro is available for both legs of what promises to be a titanic clash with the Gunners.