EnglandMatches analysed: 952023โ€“2026

John Busby: referee stats

John Busby (England) has shown 3.66 cards per game in 95 analysed matches โ€” โˆ’7% compared with the average of the same leagues. Profile: lenient.

Lenient ยท โˆ’7%
Cards per game3.66league avg 3.98
Over 4.5 cards32%Over 3.5 cards: 48%
Matches with a penalty15%
Matches with a red card7%
Fouls per game21.8
Cards 1st / 2nd half1.3 / 2.4

Upcoming matches with John Busby

No appointment published yet. Referee appointments usually appear 1โ€“3 days before kick-off.

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Referee radar

Strictness 24Fouls called 37Penalties 64Red cards 18Late cards 27Away cards 37

Percentile among 2966 referees with at least 15 matches; 50 = typical referee. Each axis compares the referee with the average of the leagues where this referee officiates.

Cards per match (last 20 matches)

0
11
52
43
34
35
46
7
8+

John Busby by competition

CompetitionMatchesCards/gLeague avgvs leaguePenaltyRed card
Championship England753.754.00โˆ’6%13%8%
League One England93.564.10โˆ’6%22%11%
League Two England63.504.21โˆ’6%17%0%
League Cup England42.253.22โˆ’7%25%0%
FA Cup England15.003.53+3%0%0%

Last matches refereed by John Busby

DateMatchScoreCards (homeโ€“away)FoulsPen.
19.09.2026Portsmouth โ€“ BlackburnChampionship2:2 3 250
12.09.2026Derby โ€“ BirminghamChampionship1:2 4 200
29.08.2026Cardiff โ€“ Sheffield UtdChampionship2:2 4 231
25.08.2026Stoke City โ€“ Hull CityLeague Cup1:1 2 170
22.08.2026Wrexham โ€“ WatfordChampionship1:1 2 240
25.04.2026QPR โ€“ DerbyChampionship2:3 4 200
18.04.2026Watford โ€“ Sheffield UtdChampionship0:2 6 200
11.04.2026Charlton โ€“ PrestonChampionship1:2 5 140
03.04.2026Newport County โ€“ Crawley TownLeague Two0:2 6 240
03.04.2026Birmingham โ€“ BlackburnChampionship0:1 1 210
21.03.2026QPR โ€“ PortsmouthChampionship6:1 6 261
07.03.2026Ipswich โ€“ LeicesterChampionship1:1 6 300
25.02.2026Sheffield Utd โ€“ CoventryChampionship1:2 5 260
21.02.2026Southampton โ€“ CharltonChampionship1:1 3 170
07.02.2026Birmingham โ€“ LeicesterChampionship2:1 3 210

How the numbers are calculated

Cards = yellow and red cards shown to players during 90 minutes (a second yellow counts as a yellow plus a red, as most bookmakers settle). Cards for coaches and substitutes on the bench and cards in extra time are excluded. Penalties = penalties awarded during the match (shoot-outs excluded). โ€œvs leagueโ€ compares the referee with the average of the exact league seasons this referee worked, so a referee from a card-heavy league is not called strict just because of the league.

Data: official match events and statistics (API-Sports), updated daily.

FAQ

How many cards does John Busby give per game?

On average 3.66 cards per game in 95 analysed matches (league average in the same competitions: 3.98).

Is John Busby a strict referee?

Compared with the leagues where John Busby officiates, the card count is โˆ’7% โ€“ profile: lenient. A red card appeared in 7% of these matches.

How often do matches with John Busby go over 4.5 cards?

Over 4.5 cards in 32% of matches and over 3.5 cards in 48%. Both teams were booked in 73%.

Does John Busby give many penalties?

A penalty was awarded in 15% of matches refereed by John Busby.