Players with the most red cards in the English Premier League

• Football is a contact sport, and that’s why players react aggressively in some instances. Different footballers approach the game differently. 
• The referee of a football match has a yellow and a red card so as to maintain law and order on the football pitch.  
• A yellow card serves as a warning, whereas a red card forces the player to receive the pitch immediately. 

The referee of a football match has a red and yellow card to help maintain discipline on the pitch. There are different actions which can make a player receive a card from the referee.

Being aggressive, using abusive language and protesting against the referee’s decision are some of the reasons why the referee might show a card to a player. 

The referee shows a player a yellow card as a warning sign. If a player receives two yellow cards during a football match, he has to leave the pitch immediately.

A red card is given to a player who has intentionally fouled an opponent. The referee can also show a red card to a player who has intentionally denied an opponent the opportunity to score. 

This article will look at the top five players with the most red cards in the English Premier League. 

1. Duncan Ferguson

Duncan Ferguson was one of the most frightening players in the English Premier League. The Scottish international is one of the most notorious footballers to ever play in the league. 

Ferguson has a bad disciplinary record in England. The legendary striker was shown eight red cards during his 12 years in England. He averaged a red card in 33 English Premier League games.

His worst indiscipline moment on a football pitch was when he headbutted John McStay. Ferguson was given a 12-game ban for his action and was sentenced to three months in prison after being found guilty of assault. 

Duncan Ferguson retired from professional football in 2006 while playing for Everton. He won the FA Cup with Everton in 1995. He reached the finals of the FA Cup with Newcastle United in 1999, where Newcastle finished as runner-up. 

Ferguson has a record of more goals in the English Premier League than any other Scottish player. The Scottish international is currently a first-team coach at Everton. 

2. Patrick Vieira

Patrick Vieira is one of the finest midfield players the world has ever seen. The Frenchman is mostly remembered by football fans during his time with Arsenal. 

Patrick Vieira was one of the best ball winners during his prime days. The legendary defensive midfielder was willing to do anything so as to win the ball from an opponent. 

Vieira knew how to bully opposition players in the midfield. His bullish behaviour made him receive eight English Premier League red cards. The Arsenal legend averaged one red card in every 38 Premier League games.

Patrick Vieira reacts aggressively towards Roy Keane. Photo/ Planet Football.

Patrick Vieira helped Arsenal win three English Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three FA Community Shield titles.

The Frenchman is the current manager of Crystal Palace. 

3. Richard Dunne  

Richard Dunne is a former Irish footballer who made 431 appearances in the English Premier League. The legendary defender spent his career days playing for Everton, Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers and Manchester City. 

Dunne is one of the players with the most red cards in Premier League history. The Irishman received eight red cards during his Premier League days. Richard Dunne averaged a red card in every 54 games. 

Dunne retired from professional football in November 2015 after Queens Park Rangers released him. The 42 years old is a current television pundit for BT Sport. 

4. Vinnie Jones

Vinnie Jones has established himself in the movie industry. The British star was one of the best defensive midfielders in the world during his days. 

Jones played for Wimbledon, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United and Sheffield United. The legendary defensive midfielder had discipline issues on the pitch.

Vinnie Jones gained a reputation for his aggressive and physically uncompromising style of play. He received seven red cards in 184 Premier League matches. 

Vinnie Jones was part of the bullish Wimbledon side of the 1980s and 1990s. He won the FA Cup with Wimbledon in 1988. 

5. Lee Cattermole

Lee Cattermole is a former English professional footballer with a lengthy disciplinary record. The defensive midfielder earned a reputation in the English Premier League for his tough tackles and aggressive style of play.

Lee is among the players with the most red cards in Premier League history. The legendary defensive midfielder received seven red cards during his professional career days in the English Premier League.

Lee Cattermole received seven yellow cards in the Premier League. Photo/ Chronicle Live.

Cattermole averaged one red card in every 33 games.