Champions League rules every Arsenal fan must know for the 24/25 season including suspensions

The Champions League is back with a new look, new format, new clubs and new rules for everyone to take on board for the 2024/25 season.

Arsenal are hoping to go far in the competition, with Mikel Arteta setting his sights on lifting the trophy in late May 2025.

There are some changes to get to grips with, as the group stage is ditched in favour of a league table format, with extra games to contend with too.

While the Gunners will have to deal with that, there are some rules that many will have to get their heads around on the pitch too.

So with that said, here’s a look at some of the key Champions League rules Arsenal fans will need to know for the campaign.

Champions League yellow card rules

During a game, card rules work as usual, with two yellow cards resulting in a red card and a suspension.

However, there are some different rules around suspensions from picking up several cautions during the whole tournament.

If a player picks up three yellow cards in separate games, they will receive a one-game suspension after the third caution.

This continues for every odd-numbered amount of cards that follow (five, seven etc.) until the counter resets.

All yellow cards will expire by the semi-final stage, meaning there will be at least 12 – potentially 14 – games where this suspension must be avoided.

With the increase in matches, it will be a challenge to avoid missing a game for plenty of players who are likely to pick up a card.

Champions League red card rules

Any red card will automatically trigger a one-match suspension, while serious offences allow UEFA to further that punishment to more matches.

Is there VAR in the Champions League this season?

There will be VAR in the Champions League, which adds an extra layer of officiating to games, with a separate team away from the stadium analysing the play.

The VAR will have the power to overturn decisions and instruct the referee to take a closer look at a decision with a pitch-side monitor.

Are there semi-automatic offsides in the Champions League?

There will be semi-automatic offside technology in the Champions League this season, which should speed up the process of making offside decisions.

Monitors in the ball will sense when it has been passed and cameras around the ground will be able to take split-second pictures of the play.

Once passed through a computer, the result is a clear 3D image of the offside with the decision made there and then.

The reason it is semi-automatic, rather than just automatic, is because offsides are subjective and down to the referee’s call as to whether a player is interfering in play or not.

Are there away goals in the Champions League?

The away goal rule was a popular rule which stated that a knockout tie between two teams, when drawn after two legs, could be separated by which team had the most goals in their away tie.

This was used in the Champions League and often offered a different type of drama that wasn’t present in most domestic football.

However, this was scrapped in 2021, with drawn matches in the knockouts heading to extra time and then penalties.