Mario Lemina has eight yellow cards in the Premier League so far, and Liam Keen has clarified what will happen if he receives two more in Wolves’ 32nd game against Nottingham Forest.
The Gabon international has been one of Wanderers’ standout performers this season, stunning fans with a series of warrior-like performances with Joao Gomes.
He has been a driving force for Wolves and is a strong candidate to win either the Players’ Player of the Season or the Fan-Voted Award at the end of the season.
Everyone knows that Lemina is a combative player.
He is also passionate and emotional, and those qualities have placed him in the referee’s notebook several times this season.
Andy Thompson described Lemina as ‘a little jaded’ this week, and he currently has eight yellow cards in the Premier League this season.
Journalist Liam Keen clarified what would happen if he had two yellow cards in the next game against Nottingham Forest.
Mario Lemina potential ban situation explained as Wolves gear up for 32nd fixture vs Nottingham Forest
With Wolves having played 31 Premier League games this season, Lemina presently has eight yellow cards.
If a player reaches 10 before the 32nd game (including that game), they must serve a two-game suspension.
Some have speculated if Lemina’s two yellow cards could result in a three-game ban. So two bookings against Forest brought his season total to ten, resulting in a two-game ban, plus an additional one-game penalty for obviously receiving a red card against Forest as a result of the two yellows.
However, Keen has emphasized that two yellow cards would only result in a one-game penalty.
With Wolves having played 31 Premier League games this season, Lemina presently has eight yellow cards.
If a player reaches 10 before the 32nd game (including that game), they must serve a two-game suspension.
Some have speculated if Lemina’s two yellow cards could result in a three-game ban. So two bookings against Forest brought his season total to ten, resulting in a two-game ban, plus an additional one-game penalty for obviously receiving a red card against Forest as a result of the two yellows.
However, Keen has emphasized that two yellow cards would only result in a one-game ban.
He stated on the E&S podcast: “You’ll recall this happened earlier in the season with Lemina. He had three yellow cards and was sent off in a game against Aston Villa after receiving two yellow cards. The query was, ‘Does he now have a red card and a yellow card ban combined?’ The answer was no.
“Those two yellows that crossed over to the red, because they became a red card, are removed. So he remains on the same number of yellow cards. So he went into the Newcastle game (after Bournemouth) with the same number of yellow cards as the previous game.
“If he gets two yellows against Forest, he’ll serve a one-match ban because of the red card, and he’ll go into the following game still on eight yellow cards.”
Nelson Semedo is in a difficult situation because he has nine yellow cards. One more on Saturday, and he’ll be suspended for two games.
A big relief
So Lemina will not risk a three-game suspension if he receives two more cards against Forest, which is a huge relief.
Fortunately, Lemina, who was dubbed’magnificent’ by Dave Edwards earlier this season, can pick up as many yellow cards as he wants after this game against Forest, because the danger of a two-game penalty only applies to bookings picked up before (and including) the 32nd game.
He can simply play his usual combative game against Forest. If he is booked, he will undoubtedly take precautions to prevent a second booking and remain on the field.
But it’s comforting to know that if he does receive a second, he won’t be missing for three matches. Wolves already have a number of key players out, and losing Lemina for such an extended period would be terrible.
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