Michel Platini has bemoaned the “stupid rule” in UEFA competitions which can see players suffer a triple punishment.

UEFA president, Platini, was referring to the fact that a player can concede a penalty, be red carded and then suspended for one match, all for one incident.

Both Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis suffered the fate in midweek as the English sides were beaten at home by European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively.

The Gunners and City were holding their own against the strong opposition until suffering two-thirds of the triple punishment, in the form of a penalty and a red card.

Platini expressed his sympathy with both the teams on the end of the decision and the referees who are obliged to enforce the rules.

"For 15 years we have been trying to change this rule,” Platini told a news conference in Nice ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifying draw.

"All the technical committees of UEFA and FIFA are against this but when it has gone to the International Board it doesn't change.

"(Arsene) Wenger said the referee killed the game but the referee has to respect this stupid rule."