'Bonkers' loophole will see Premier League player receive longer ban if he's booked rather than gets sent off

An unusual Premier League rule could see a player handed a longer ban if he's booked this weekend rather than being sent off.

Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes is the man who could benefit if he is given his marching orders against Tottenham.

Eddie Howe's side host Spurs at St James' Park on Saturday, with 13 points currently separating the two sides.

Tottenham are fourth on 60 points, while Newcastle are struggling down in eighth on 47 after a campaign disrupted by injuries.

Newcastle can ill afford to lose Guimaraes, who is walking a disciplinary tightrope this weekend.

The midfielder goes into the match on nine yellow cards in the Premier League this season and would normally be at risk of a two-match suspension.

Top-flight rules state that any player will receive a two-game ban if they are booked 10 times in the opening 32 matches.

With Newcastle set to take part in their 32nd league match, this would normally be the final chance for Guimaraes to receive that specific ban this season.

However, a bizarre rule states that should Brazilian be sent off for two cautions against Spurs, he would only be ruled out for one game - according to talkSPORT.

The same loophole allowed Anthony Gordon to avoid an extended suspension following his sending-off in the 4-3 win over West Ham last month.

Bruno Guimaraes is at risk of a suspension (Image: Getty)

Gordon was shown his ninth and tenth yellow cards in that match but due to receiving a red card, he technically stayed on eight yellows – avoiding the extended two-match ban.

As a result, he only missed one match – a 1-1 draw with his former club Everton.

Should Guimaraes be shown two yellows against Spurs, he would remain on nine for the season and similarly avoid a longer ban.

If that happens, he will miss Newcastle's match against Crystal Palace on April 24 but return to face Sheffield United on April 27.