Most red cards in a game: Which football match had the most ejections?

Sometimes players and coaches make mistakes, and it is the referee's job to either eject them with a red card or give them a fair warning with a yellow card. It is regrettable for a team to have the most red cards in a game since their overall performance and form will be affected.

A dirty game can be entertaining for fans but not so much for players. Players rush into tackles, tempers flare, and the referee loses command of the game. People already shudder when there are two or three red cards in a game, but what about 36? No, 36 red cards are not a misprint. This list of the most red cards in a game

Most red cards in a game as of 2023

Although it is rare for several players to be sent out of the game in a single match, some matches have made history with a record number of ejections. According to online sources, these are some football matches with the most red cards in history ranked from the least to most.

10. Portugal vs Netherlands

During the 2006 World Cup, in a match between Portugal and the Netherlands, the Russian referee, Valentin Ivanov, issued four red and 16 yellow cards. Since then, the match has gone down in history for the most red cards in a World Cup game.

Although Portugal won the match, known as the Battle of Nuremberg, the game is mainly remembered due to the four ejections made, two from each team.

9. Bristol Rovers vs Wigan Athletic

Although English football is known for its calmness and fewer ejections, Bristol Rovers vs Wigan Athletic made a record when they recorded five sent-offs in a single match, four in the first half. The match saw three Bristol Rovers players and two Wigan Athletics ejected due to the uproar and violence in the air.

8. Chesterfield vs Plymouth Argyle

The second English football shock came the same year as the previous one, in 1997 when the Chesterfield vs Plymouth Argyle match ended up with five sent-offs. The first sent-off happened in the first half after a hefty foul from a Plymouth player.

However, the real shock came just a few minutes before the final whistle when the goalkeeper was injured. In an attempt to calm things down, a mass clash between athletes broke out, and as a result, the referee drew four other cards.

7. Paris Saint Germain vs Olympique de Marseille

Most red and yellow cards in a game happened between the two French giants, Paris Saint Germain and Olympique de Marseille, in 2020. On the list, it is among the most recent ones to happen, and it involved 14 yellow cards and five sent-offs.

However, the incident that led to the ejections was rumoured to have surfaced after Neymar hit Alvaro Gonzales due to racism allegations. Most times when the duo clash, it is without a doubt that a feud might break out due to the tension built before the game.

6. Barcelona vs Espanyol

In one of the most significant leagues in the world, La Liga, the match between Barcelona and Espanyol made history with the most red cards in a soccer game in the history of the competition.

The violence created when Barca won, and Espanyol scored only one goal attracted seven yellows and six sent-offs. The referee sent out three players from both sides to balance an equation and calm the players and fans down.

5. Gremio vs Internacional

The match between Gremio and Internacional recorded the most red cards in a game as of 2023, with eight ejections and six yellows. Although it does not surprise most South American fans, eight is still a considerable number of players to be sent out of the pitch.

The game ended in a draw despite the feud, which had started after 36 fouls were committed and a fight that lasted 10 minutes between Moisés and Pepe.

4. Recreativo Linense vs Saladillo De Algeciras

Spanish lower division teams, Recreativo Linense and Saladillo De Algeciras made a record when they clashed in 2009 and had 19 send-offs. According to online sources, the referee, Jose Manuel Barro, had difficulty calming down players after the mass chaos.

Since the chaos happened in the second half, the ref had no choice but to draw out 19 cards and abandon the game due to violence. Nevertheless, the match was recorded to have the most red cards in a football game.

3. Sportivo Ameliano vs General Caballero

With 20 ejections in a single match, Sportivo Ameliano vs General Caballero is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as a match with the most red cards in a soccer game. The game held the record until the first and second games broke it on this list.

The referee in charge of the fiasco gave 20 players their exit without hesitation due to a clash that went on for almost ten minutes. After serving them, the referee abandoned the game.

2. Claypole vs Victoriano Arenas

Among the matches with a record of the most red cards in a football game was the competition between Claypole and Victoriano Arenas. The duo clashed in 2011, and some crazy scenes were witnessed after a mass brawl emerged.

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According to various online sources, it is speculated that the chaos began after two players were sent off the pitch in the first half. It quickly escalated to a fist between players, fans, and coaches when another player was dismissed, thus resulting in a mass dismissal of all athletes.

1. Teniente Farina vs Libertad

Finally, topping the list is the most controversial match with the most red cards in a soccer game. The referee, Nestor Guillen, sent two players out of the field due to violent misconduct, and funny as it may seem, the players ignored him.

The continued ignorance and feud on the pitch led to mass chaos directed toward the referee and his officials, who decided to leave the pitch instead of calming things down. However, both teams' officials criticised the ref's decision concerning the 36 ejections, but his decision still stood.

Most red cards in a Premier League game

The following EPL matches had three ejections each, the most in the Premier League, Southampton vs West Brom, Portsmouth vs Sunderland, Newcastle vs Aston Villa, Manchester City vs Tottenham, and Chelsea vs Aston Villa.

What football game has 36 red cards?

So far, two matches have recorded the highest number of sent-offs in the soccer arena, with 36. These matches are Teniente Farina vs Libertad and Claypole vs Victoriano Arenas.

Who has the highest number of red cards in football history?

The Colombian defensive midfielder, Gerardo Bedoya, holds the record for soccer's highest number of ejections. In his career, he received a total of 46 red cards.

Which player has the least red cards?

Statistically, Lineker is the only player in history who has never been sent out of the field due to misconduct. In his more than 500 appearances for his country and club, it is a surprise that he did not even get a yellow card.

Several clubs have recorded the most red cards in a game due to behavioural issues that might have resulted in violence and injury. Sometimes it is not just about the gameplay but also the years-long grudges and rivalry that fans, players, managers, and referees bring with them to the stadium.

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