According to Marca, LaLiga significantly leads the other four major European leagues in both total red cards issued (23) and average red cards per match, with nearly 3 red cards shown almost every matchday.
"Sent off for the following reason..." This phrase has become all too common in Spanish football. LaLiga has experienced a dramatic surge in red cards since the season's start. After just eight rounds, the number of red cards in Spanish football far exceeds that of any other major European league.
This trend has given Spanish football an unfortunate distinction. In the first eight rounds, LaLiga has seen 23 red cards, averaging 2.87 per match—no other league comes close.
Serie A at the bottom
In the Premier League and Ligue 1, both recorded 9 red cards after six matches, averaging 1.5 per match. The Bundesliga, after five rounds, has seen 5 red cards, averaging 1 per match. Serie A has had only 5 players sent off after six matches, averaging 0.83 per match.
Breaking it down by total matches played shows an even more significant disparity. Spain has played 78 matches (with Levante vs Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club still to be played), averaging 0.29 red cards per match; France has played 54 matches, averaging 0.16; the Premier League has played 60 matches, averaging 0.15—almost half LaLiga's rate; the Bundesliga has played 45 matches, averaging 0.11; Serie A has the lowest rate at 0.08 per match.
VAR's red cards outnumber referees' direct calls
Statistics show how Spain's red cards were distributed: 8 red cards shown directly by the referee without VAR intervention; 5 for accumulating two yellow cards; 4 awarded after VAR review; and 6 issued after VAR corrected the referee's decision, with the original yellow card canceled and replaced with a red.
The result is striking: VAR-influenced red cards outnumber those directly seen by the referee on the field. VAR interventions accounted for 10 of the 23 red cards, while on-field referees directly issued only 8.
Deportivo La Coruña, Getafe, Sevilla, and Real Sociedad each received 3 red cards during this LaLiga period, topping the red card list. Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano each have 2. Celta de Vigo, Espanyol, Athletic Club, Elche, Atlético Madrid, Racing Santander, and Deportivo Alavés each have 1. Teams without any red cards include Barcelona, Real Betis, Villarreal, and Valencia.
Only 2 of the 23 red cards were issued for protesting or similar conduct. Rayo Vallecano's De Frutos was sent off in an away match against Racing Santander. Rayo Vallecano subsequently appealed the two-match ban, claiming the player had kicked a water cooler, but this was neither documented in the referee's report nor visible in the footage.
Another controversial dismissal involved Real Sociedad forward Óskar Sævarsson, who lost his composure in a match against Valencia, receiving two yellow cards within a minute for disagreeing with referee Munuera Montero's decision.
Yuri's case
Isaac Romero's dismissal in the recent Levante vs Sevilla match was equally controversial. After scoring to make it 2-3, the Sevilla forward made a "quieting" gesture toward the stands and received a second yellow card, sparking a major incident with objects thrown. Referee Cordero Vega indicated this gesture was the reason for the dismissal.
Yuri's red card in the 11th minute of the Athletic Club vs Sevilla match also proved contentious. The left-back was already surprised by referee Soto Grado's initial decision on the field.
The Referees' Technical Committee (CTA), through its "review time" process, determined it was a "clear and significant on-field referee error. VAR should have intervened." Nevertheless, the Appeals Committee upheld the player's sanction, prompting Yuri to publicly express his dissatisfaction.
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