EnglandMatches analysed: 752023–2026John Busby · Championship: referee stats
John Busby (England) has shown 3.75 cards per game in 75 analysed matches — −6% compared with the average of the same leagues. Profile: lenient.
Lenient · −6%Upcoming matches with John Busby
Referee radar
Percentile among 2957 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)
Last matches refereed by John Busby
| Date | Match | Score | Cards (home–away) | Fouls | Pen. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 19 Sept | Portsmouth – BlackburnChampionship | 2:2 | 3 | 25 | 0 |
| Sat 12 Sept | Derby – BirminghamChampionship | 1:2 | 4 | 20 | 0 |
| Sat 29 Aug | Cardiff – Sheffield UtdChampionship | 2:2 | 4 | 23 | 1 |
| Sat 22 Aug | Wrexham – WatfordChampionship | 1:1 | 2 | 24 | 0 |
| Sat 25 Apr | QPR – DerbyChampionship | 2:3 | 4 | 20 | 0 |
| Sat 18 Apr | Watford – Sheffield UtdChampionship | 0:2 | 6 | 20 | 0 |
| Sat 11 Apr | Charlton – PrestonChampionship | 1:2 | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| Fri 3 Apr | Birmingham – BlackburnChampionship | 0:1 | 1 | 21 | 0 |
| Sat 21 Mar | QPR – PortsmouthChampionship | 6:1 | 6 | 26 | 1 |
| Sat 7 Mar | Ipswich – LeicesterChampionship | 1:1 | 6 | 30 | 0 |
| Wed 25 Feb | Sheffield Utd – CoventryChampionship | 1:2 | 5 | 26 | 0 |
| Sat 21 Feb | Southampton – CharltonChampionship | 1:1 | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| Sat 7 Feb | Birmingham – LeicesterChampionship | 2:1 | 3 | 21 | 0 |
| Sat 31 Jan | Ipswich – PrestonChampionship | 1:1 | 3 | 21 | 1 |
| Sat 17 Jan | Sheffield Wednesday – PortsmouthChampionship | 0:1 | 2 | 25 | 0 |
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). “vs league” 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards does John Busby give per game?
On average 3.75 cards per game in 75 analysed matches (league average in the same competitions: 4.00).
Is John Busby a strict referee?
Compared with the leagues where John Busby officiates, the card count is −6% – profile: lenient. A red card appeared in 8% 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 72%.
Does John Busby give many penalties?
A penalty was awarded in 13% of matches refereed by John Busby.