Match Suspensions: New Changes to Card Accumulation Rule in 2025-2026

As part of the working group launched last March by the LFP Board of Directors and the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 colleges to improve the overall product, one of the key discussions focused on disciplinary rules—specifically automatic suspensions.

5 yellow cards = 1 automatic suspension

After reviewing practices across other major leagues, it has been decided that the automatic suspension rule will be updated as of the 2025/26 season. Players will now receive a one-match suspension automatically after accumulating five yellow cards—regardless of the number of matches played.

This streamlined rule was officially adopted by the LFP Board of Directors on 3rd June and will apply starting from the 2025/26 season in Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Ligue 2 BKT, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions.

Previous rule: 3 yellows over 10 games

Until now, players faced an automatic one-match suspension if they received three yellow cards within a span of ten official matches (across Ligue 1 McDonald's, Ligue 2 BKT, Trophée des Champions, and Coupe de France). All card tallies were reset at the end of each season.