The word referee has its origins in the late Middle Ages and comes from the Old French word referrer, which means “to refer” or “to send back.” It was first used in the context of someone who would “refer” disputes to a higher authority. Over time, the term evolved to describe someone who was given the authority to make decisions in competitive contexts, especially in the realm of sports.
In today’s world, it’s practically impossible for sporting events to take place without a referee of some kind, and they’ve become synonymous with competitive sports as the stakes of matches—and the money at stake—continue to rise.
The Premier League’s Most Ruthless Referees Ranked
Some referees have made a name for themselves by always being in the limelight, others for controversial decisions, and some for being the best in the business. And then we have strict referees: the ones who let nothing slide, run their matches by the rulebook, and are not afraid to make tough decisions. Through data collected by our analysis team, we have dived into the numbers to conclude who the sternest and most ruthless referees have been since the 2019/20 season up until the 2023/24 season.
The referees were graded by the average number of fouls each referee calls per match, ratio of fouls to tackles, average number of penalties awarded per match, number of yellow cards issued on average, total yellow cards given across all matches, average red cards handed out per game, and total number of red cards across all matches. A Strictness Index was then calculated to rank referees based on their disciplinary decisions.
The crunched numbers reveal that Michael Salisbury (pictured above) ranks 1st with the highest Strictness Index (0.485) among all referees who have officiated over ten games since the 2019/20 season. Despite overseeing only 33 matches, he calls about 22.86 fouls per game and issues 3.57 yellow cards per game. Salisbury is joined by Darren England, who became a Premier League referee in August 2020. England has a Strictness Index of 0.451 and gives out approximately 22.56 fouls per game. Interestingly, England leads in penalties awarded per game, showcasing his willingness to make key decisions that could significantly influence the outcome of matches.
Disgraced referee David Coote, who was recently sacked by the PGMOL, has a strictness score of 0.410. Coote has officiated over 100 games in the league and ranks 6th highest for issuing yellow cards, with 397, and 6th highest for red cards, with 13.
High-profile ex-referee Mike Dean has a score of 0.397, having overseen 78 matches since the 2019/20 season. Dean, well-renowned for his dramatic style, has often played pivotal roles in high-stakes Premier League games. He distributed 285 yellow cards across his matches, reflecting his focus on curbing unsporting behaviour. Meanwhile, Anthony Taylor, who has officiated 155 matches during the data collection period, is the 9th strictest referee with a score of 0.377. Taylor has shown his tendency to run a tight ship, having handed out 585 yellow cards, the most among all referees.
The Premier League's More Lenient Officials
Interestingly, Lee Mason, with a Strictness Index of 0.294, is deemed one of the least strict referees in the league. His 21.95 fouls per game place him in the moderate range, while his 2.78 yellow cards per game indicate a preference for using caution as his primary disciplinary tool.
Martin Atkinson, boasting a Strictness Index of 0.229, exemplifies the steady hand of an experienced referee. Across 84 matches, Atkinson’s low foul count of 18.64 per game reflects his commitment to ensuring uninterrupted gameplay. Furthermore, his yellow card average of 2.59 per game is among the lowest in the league, showcasing his ability to manage matches without resorting to frequent bookings. Atkinson also exhibited a rare use of red cards—only 9 in total (0.11 per game).
Other lenient referees, according to the data, include Andre Marriner (0.232), Samuel Barrott (0.236), Jonathan Moss (0.276), and Simon Hooper (0.299).
The data set showcases the wide-ranging approaches and philosophies of referees when officiating Premier League matches. While rules exist, incidents on the pitch will always be subjective to the individual in the black kit with the whistle. Sometimes, a no-nonsense referee who takes no excuses is a necessity when dealing with high-profile, talented footballers. Yet, officials willing to let games flow with minimal interruptions also provide a unique benefit to the sport. Despite the introduction of VAR, the referee remains as important as ever in deciding the fate of a game.
