Hajduk Split Cleared to Play Key Players in Poland After UEFA Rule Change

Hajduk Split has received welcome news ahead of their Conference League playoff second leg against Poland's Raków Częstochowa, as key players Rokas Pukštas and Šimun Hrgović will be eligible to play.

Both Pukštas and Hrgović had earned yellow cards in previous qualification matches, accumulating three each. Under older UEFA regulations, this would have meant a one-match suspension, forcing them to miss the crucial fixture in Poland.

However, a recent rule change implemented by UEFA this summer allows players' yellow card counts to be reduced after every two qualification rounds they participate in. This adjustment means Pukštas's first yellow card, received against Pafos, was effectively wiped after two rounds, leaving him with two accumulated cards. Similarly, Hrgović's cards from matches against Žilina were cleared after Hajduk advanced past that stage, leaving him with only one recorded yellow card.

Despite this boost, Hajduk will still be without Adrion Pajaziti, who received a direct red card in the first leg and must serve a suspension.