Birmingham City midfielder Tomoki Iwata is perilously close to a suspension, carrying nine yellow cards this Championship season. After receiving his ninth booking in Monday night’s defeat to Middlesbrough, Iwata is just one caution away from a two-match ban.
If Iwata picks up a yellow card in either of Birmingham’s next two fixtures against Charlton Athletic or Queens Park Rangers, he will be suspended for two games. This is due to the Championship’s disciplinary rule, where accumulating 10 bookings results in a two-game suspension, unless the cards are received after the 37-game amnesty period.
Iwata previously served a suspension in December following his fifth booking, missing the victory over Watford. Since then, additional cautions in matches against Southampton (two bookings), Oxford, and Middlesbrough have elevated his risk of missing more game time.
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Since joining Birmingham City from Celtic in the summer of 2024, the 28-year-old Japanese midfielder has been a key player, frequently deployed at right-back despite his preferred midfield role. He has made 34 Championship appearances this season, scoring twice, and remains a trusted figure under manager Chris Davies.
Jay Stansfield is the only other Birmingham City player currently facing suspension risk, with eight yellow cards this season.