In a dramatic penalty shootout win over Lille in the Europa Conference League, Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez was able to avoid being sent off despite receiving two yellow cards. During the match, the Argentina goalkeeper was booked for time wasting and then shown a second yellow card during the shootout for antagonizing Lille fans who had targeted him throughout the game. However, Martinez remained on the pitch due to a little known law in the UEFA rulebooks.

According to IFAB law 10, yellow cards issued during the match do not carry over into a penalty shootout and are automatically reset. This rule states that a player who is shown a yellow card during both the match and the penalty shootout is not sent off. The reset allowed Martinez to continue in goal for the shootout, where he made the most of his reprieve by saving the decisive penalty and sending his team through to the semi-finals.

The goalkeeper had been subject to abuse from Lille fans throughout the match and even faced an attempt by some fans to storm the pitch in an effort to reach him. Martinez expressed his confusion and frustration after the match, stating that he believed he received the second booking for asking a ball-boy for a ball when there was none on the penalty spot during the shootout. Despite the controversy, Martinez’s performance ultimately proved crucial in securing Aston Villa’s victory.