There has long been a myth that referees in the Premier League give players more freedom and are lenient toward physical challenges. This may be true to some extent, but over time, refereeing decisions have evolved based on general football trends.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Premier League referees received a series of instructions on how to handle different situations. Arguing with the referee is now punishable, the handball rule inside the penalty area has been adjusted, and so on.
However, written regulations are one thing, and referees in England also have their own individual approaches to the game, which can dramatically influence the same team’s matches from one round to another.
Let’s take a statistical look at how each Premier League referee approached disciplinary decisions in the first three rounds of the 2024/25 season (fouls/cards). This data might help you anticipate trends for match officiating in Round 4 and beyond.
Referees who call the most fouls per game (Top 5)
- David Coote – 31 fouls per game (on average)
- Lewis Smith – 30 fouls per game
- Tony Harrington – 29 fouls per game
- Tim Robinson – 27 fouls per game
- Darren Bond – 27 fouls per game
Referees who issue the most cards per game (Top 5)
- David Coote – 6.5 cards per game (on average)
- Samuel Barrott – 6 cards per game
- Lewis Smith – 5 cards per game
- Jarred Gillett – 4.9 cards per game
- Darren England – 4.9 cards per game
Referees who call the fewest fouls per game (Top 5)
- Samuel Attwell – 17 fouls per game (on average)
- Josh Smith – 17 fouls per game
- Sam Allison – 19 fouls per game
- Anthony Taylor – 20.33 fouls per game
- Michael Oliver – 20.67 fouls per game
Referees who issue the fewest cards per game (Top 5)
- Anthony Taylor – 2.33 cards per game (on average)
- Josh Smith – 3 cards per game
- Tony Harrington – 3 cards per game
- Chris Kavanagh – 3.5 cards per game
- Stuart Attwell – 4 cards per game
