<p>Germany's Michael Ballack in 2002, Italy's Alessandro Costacurta in 1994 and Argentina's Claudio Caniggia in 1990 are the best-known players to have missed World Cup finals after picking up second yellow cards in semis. <br /><br />So for this tournament, world soccer's governing body has shifted its usual amnesty for yellow cards from the end of the first round until after the quarterfinals instead. <br /><br />That means players would only miss the final if they receive two yellow cards –– or of course a straight red –– in a semifinal game, rather than in the past when they may have carried one yellow card going into a semi. <br /><br />"FIFA simply said we want to give the best players a chance to play in the final," spokesman Marius Schneider said. "The discussion first came up when Ballack was ruled out." <br />England fans remember the old rule well because of Paul Gascoigne's tears during their semi-final in Italy in 1990. <br /><br />Red card rules remain the same. A red carries at least a one-match suspension and possibly more if the disciplinary committee considers the offence particularly serious. So, in theory, a player red-carded even before a semi-final could also miss the final. <br /><br />Referees have generally been praised for their performances so far at this World Cup, although Germany were furious at Miroslav Klose's sending off against Serbia for a second bookable offence and the United States believe they were denied a legitimate third goal in their 2-2 draw with Slovenia. <br /></p>
<p>Germany's Michael Ballack in 2002, Italy's Alessandro Costacurta in 1994 and Argentina's Claudio Caniggia in 1990 are the best-known players to have missed World Cup finals after picking up second yellow cards in semis. <br /><br />So for this tournament, world soccer's governing body has shifted its usual amnesty for yellow cards from the end of the first round until after the quarterfinals instead. <br /><br />That means players would only miss the final if they receive two yellow cards –– or of course a straight red –– in a semifinal game, rather than in the past when they may have carried one yellow card going into a semi. <br /><br />"FIFA simply said we want to give the best players a chance to play in the final," spokesman Marius Schneider said. "The discussion first came up when Ballack was ruled out." <br />England fans remember the old rule well because of Paul Gascoigne's tears during their semi-final in Italy in 1990. <br /><br />Red card rules remain the same. A red carries at least a one-match suspension and possibly more if the disciplinary committee considers the offence particularly serious. So, in theory, a player red-carded even before a semi-final could also miss the final. <br /><br />Referees have generally been praised for their performances so far at this World Cup, although Germany were furious at Miroslav Klose's sending off against Serbia for a second bookable offence and the United States believe they were denied a legitimate third goal in their 2-2 draw with Slovenia. <br /></p>
