La Liga explain why referees are showing more red cards this season
La Liga have put out an explainer as to why there have been an increased number of red cards in the competition this season, even without a rise in the number of fouls.
The average number of fouls per game in La Liga over the last five seasons has remained more or less constant and has actually slightly fallen – ranging from 27.7 in 2017/18 to 26.4 so far in 2022/23.
However, the average number of dismissals is up from 0.19 per game in 2017/18 to 0.4 this season.
Fewer fouls but literally twice as many red cards.
A similar trend has been seen in Spanish referees officiating in UEFA competitions as well, with red cards in their games almost trebling in the Champions League and quadrupling in the Europa League.
La Liga director of competitions Luis Gil has given the reason, revealing that the criteria for dismissals given to referees in Spain is what has changed, not the players or the games. That has been enacted in both domestic and continental games.
𝐄𝐍𝐆 🇬🇧 l 🟥 LaLiga players are not more aggressive, instead Spanish refereeing has changed its scale for dismissals, with the average per match soaring this season, both in LaLiga and in European competitions matches refereed by Spaniards.
— LaLiga Corporativo (@LaLigaCorp) April 16, 2023
Video with data ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sSBDciKkRW
“LaLiga players are not more aggressive, instead Spanish refereeing has changed its scale for dismissals, with the average per match soaring this season, both in LaLiga and in European competitions matches refereed by Spaniards,” a short accompanying statement from the league read.
La Liga red cards so far in 2022/23
Club | Yellow cards | Red cards |
|---|---|---|
Real Betis | 62 | 12 |
Sevilla | 91 | 11 |
Elche | 75 | 11 |
Espanyol | 67 | 9 |
Getafe | 77 | 8 |
Atletico Madrid | 64 | 7 |
Cadiz | 76 | 6 |
Barcelona | 60 | 6 |
Osasuna | 76 | 5 |
Real Valladolid | 70 | 5 |
Valencia | 68 | 5 |
Rayo Vallecano | 71 | 4 |
Villarreal | 65 | 4 |
Celta Vigo | 58 | 4 |
Athletic Club | 57 | 4 |
Mallorca | 103 | 3 |
Almeria | 77 | 3 |
Real Sociedad | 73 | 2 |
Girona | 70 | 2 |
Real Madrid | 50 | 1 |
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