Explained: The yellow card rule putting Italy trio at risk ahead of World Cup play-offs

As Italy prepare for their final two World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Norway, the Azzurri must be careful with Davide Frattesi, Sandro Tonali and Andrea Cambiaso at risk of suspension if they receive another yellow card, but punishment can be avoided altogether as their accumulation of cautions resets before the play-off round.

Currently, the Italy trio are all one booking away from a one-match ban and if they are booked in the final qualifier against Norway, they would be unavailable for their first play-off match.

It is unlikely that the Azzurri will receive many booking against minnows Moldova but the more fiercely-contested tie with Erling Haaland’s Norway is more likely to see the cards fly.

It would be frustrating for Gattuso if a key player like Tonali were to miss what will likely be a vital play-off clash against potentially tricky teams like Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland.

Of course, Italy could avoid the play-offs – if Estonia pull off a dramatic shock at Norway on Thursday and the Azzurri follow it up with a victory of their own agains the Scandinavian team. However, this is unlikely and another round of games to decide the Azzurri’s World Cup fate is more or less guaranteed.

If the trio were to avoid going into the referees book altogether for the next two games, it would be a great help to their coach and teammates.