Ajax and PSV Eindhoven face Europa League suspension headaches

Dutch clubs return to the European stage as Ajax and PSV Eindhoven take on their respective opponents in the Europa League knockout round play-offs but have a few potential suspension headaches along the way, Voetbal International reports. 

The Eredivisie champions have three players who are a yellow card away from suspension while PSV have Xavi Simons also in the same position. 

Despite Ajax dropping down from the Champions League, they still have all yellow cards transferred down to UEFA’s second-tier club competition as they prepare to welcome Bundesliga high-flyers Union Berlin. 

Head coach John Heitinga will have to be cautious on defenders Edson Alvarez and Jurrien Timber as well as midfielder Kenneth Taylor as all three players are a yellow card away from a suspension – which could be the second-leg in Germany next week if they get to wrong side of referee Halil Umut Meler of Turkey. 

Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy may want to look at how to manage Xavi Simons as the attacking midfielder is also on a card away from a one-match ban. 

Six-time Europa League winners Sevilla dropped down from the Champions League and are drawn against the Dutch club with home advantage in the first-leg. 

Radu Petrescu of Romania is the referee ahead of their match in Seville.  

To make things worse for both clubs, the yellow cards are not wiped until the quarter-finals so will have this over their heads come the round of 16 if they progress. 

GBeNeFN | Tom Phillips

More European Football News