Short refs dish out more red and yellow cards, a study shows.
Scientists analysed the data for 61 male referees in the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two.
They found refs less than 6ft dole out around 20 per cent more yellow cards than those who are taller.
Experts claim it may be down to Napoleon complex — or Small Man Syndrome — where shorter men compensate for their stature by being more aggressive.
The Northumbria University study, led by Dr Nick Neave, concluded: “Shorter referees issued more yellow cards and, in lower leagues, more reds and penalties.
“This reflects referees overcompensating for a lack of perceived dominance.”
The study, reported in BMC Psychology, analysed data from the 2017/18 season.
The average Premier League ref was 5ft 10in and gave three yellows a game.
But Jon Moss who recently hit the headlines for making a sarcastic comment to Bournemouth’s Dan Gosling, was significantly more likely to punish players.
The 5ft 7in ref awarded 3.7 yellow cards per game.
In his last Premier League campaign, 5ft 8in official Mike Jones handed out on average 3.6 each match.
But 6ft-tall Graham Scott only gave out 2.4 yellows on average per game.
The study also found short officials awarded more red cards in lower divisions.
The researchers say this may be down to League One and Two players giving less respect to a smaller ref and needing to be pulled into line.
They also said: “Because shorter males may lack dominance, they behave more punitively than would be expected.”