Chelsea handed massive suspension boost for Conference League final vs Real Betis

Chelsea will be relieved by a revamped UEFA rule after received a booking during the 1-0 win over Djurgarden in the semi-final second leg.

Enzo Maresca's squad reached the final of the competition with a two-legged win over the Swedish side (5-1 on aggregate). In last week's 4-1 victory in Sweden, Adarabioyo picked up his second yellow card of the Conference League campaign.

His caution on Thursday evening marked his third booking and, under UEFA rules, players who accumulate three yellow cards in the competition are handed a one-match suspension. However, yellow cards are wiped after the quarter-final stage, meaning the rule does not apply to bookings received in the semi-finals.

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Therefore, the centre-back will - fortunately - not miss the Conference League final.

The only scenario in which he would have faced a suspension for the showpiece was if he'd received either two yellow cards or a straight red card in the second leg against Djurgarden.

to the Conference League final, with the Blues now just 90 minutes away from securing silverware during Maresca's debut season at the helm.

He's made 34 appearances in all competitions this term, nine of which have come in the Conference League.

The Blues will now take on Real Betis in Poland on Wednesday May 28. The Spanish side drew 2-2 vs Fiorentina in the second leg of their semi-final, forcing the match into extra time. Abde Ezzalzouli then scored the decisive goal in the 97th minute of extra-time, sealing a historic first-ever appearance in a European final for Betis.