Germany defender Mats Hummels has expressed his support for the UEFA ruling that sees players suspended after receiving two cautions at Euro 2016 and said he would like to see it extended to cover the final.
UEFA's tournament regulations stipulate that, prior to the semifinal stage, any player who receives two yellow cards in separate games is banned for the following match.
As a result of the ruling, Hummels, 27, will miss Germany's semifinal clash with France on Thursday (9 p.m. CET/3 p.m. ET, ESPN), having been booked in the 3-0 win over Slovakia and the penalty shootout victory over Italy.
Three other players -- Wales' Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies and Portugal's William Carvalho -- will also miss the semifinals but Hummels has rejected the idea that the regulations are unfair.
"I have to admit that I like the rule, even though it affects me now," Hummels told Bild. "I don't even think it is right that you can basically do as you please in the semifinal. You should also be threatened with a suspension for the final.
"I think it's wrong that both teams playing in one semifinal could theoretically commit up to 20 tactical fouls. This could lead to a situation where a team leading by one goal after 80 minutes would get away with a lot."
Hummels said that the yellow card he picked up in the round-of-16 success over Slovakia was "unjustified" but acknowledged that "suspensions are just a part of football."
Suspending players like Aaron Ramsey for yellow cards is cruel punishment. @Marcotti: https://t.co/ScrEJOXIAL pic.twitter.com/mjyXa4fwBv
- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 4, 2016
Wales defender Davies, though, said the current rules are "harsh."
The Tottenham Hotspur left-back picked up his first booking in the group-stage loss to England and his second in the 3-1 quarterfinal victory over Belgium.
He told Spurs' official website: "I didn't dwell on it too much at the time. I just thought 'forget about it' and got on with the job. You have to be mentally strong and wipe these things out.
"It's obviously disappointing not to be involved now and two yellows in five games seems a bit harsh but I have to take it. That's football. That's life. Hopefully the lads will do the job."