Stats
Championship referees 2026/27: cards per match
As of November 7, 2026 · 180 matches in the 2026/27 seasonHow we count
In the 2026/27 season, Championship referees show 3.9 cards per match on average (180 matches with cards, as of November 7, 2026).
The most come from Josh Smith (4.9 in 8 matches), the fewest from David Webb (2.5 in 6 matches); the table lists 20 referees with at least 5 matches.
A penalty was given in 18% of the league's matches (0.19 per match on average, all referees together).
- Cards per match in the league
- 3.9
- over 4.5 cards in 37% of matches
- Referees in the table
- 20
- with at least 5 matches
- Matches with a penalty
- 18%
- the whole league
- Most cards
- 4.9
- Josh Smith, 8 matches
Referees by cards per match
The referee's matches in this league this season: cards per match, the difference from the league average, yellow and red, and matches with over 4.5 cards. The name leads to the referee's profile.
| League average | 180 | 3.9 | – | 3.8 | 0.12 | 37% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Josh Smith | 8 | 4.9, +1.0 against the average | +25%, +25% against the average | 4.9 | 0.00 | 63% |
| 2Elliot Bell | 6 | 4.7, +0.8 against the average | +20%, +20% against the average | 4.5 | 0.17 | 50% |
| 3Matt Donohue | 6 | 4.7, +0.8 against the average | +20%, +20% against the average | 4.7 | 0.00 | 50% |
| 4Adam Herczeg | 7 | 4.6, +0.7 against the average | +17%, +17% against the average | 4.4 | 0.14 | 43% |
| 5Anthony Backhouse | 7 | 4.4, +0.5 against the average | +14%, +14% against the average | 4.3 | 0.14 | 57% |
| 6Tim Robinson | 8 | 4.4, +0.5 against the average | +12%, +12% against the average | 4.4 | 0.00 | 50% |
| 7Edward Duckworth | 5 | 4.2, +0.3 against the average | +8%, +8% against the average | 4.2 | 0.00 | 40% |
| 8Tom Reeves | 6 | 4.2, +0.3 against the average | +7%, +7% against the average | 4.2 | 0.00 | 33% |
| 9James Bell | 6 | 4.0, +0.1 against the average | +3%, +3% against the average | 3.8 | 0.17 | 33% |
| 10Robert Madley | 5 | 3.8, −0.1 against the average | −3%, −3% against the average | 3.6 | 0.20 | 20% |
| 11Andrew Kitchen | 9 | 3.8, −0.1 against the average | −3%, −3% against the average | 3.6 | 0.22 | 22% |
| 12Oliver Langford | 8 | 3.8, −0.1 against the average | −4%, −4% against the average | 3.6 | 0.13 | 38% |
| 13Gavin Ward | 8 | 3.6, −0.3 against the average | −7%, −7% against the average | 3.6 | 0.00 | 50% |
| 14John Busby | 7 | 3.6, −0.3 against the average | −8%, −8% against the average | 3.6 | 0.00 | 29% |
| 15Sam Allison | 7 | 3.4, −0.5 against the average | −12%, −12% against the average | 3.1 | 0.29 | 29% |
| 16Benjamin Speedie | 5 | 3.4, −0.5 against the average | −13%, −13% against the average | 3.4 | 0.00 | 20% |
| 17Will Finnie | 5 | 3.2, −0.7 against the average | −18%, −18% against the average | 2.6 | 0.60 | 20% |
| 18Tom Nield | 8 | 2.9, −1.0 against the average | −26%, −26% against the average | 2.8 | 0.13 | 25% |
| 19Lewis Smith | 5 | 2.8, −1.1 against the average | −28%, −28% against the average | 2.6 | 0.20 | 0% |
| 20David Webb | 6 | 2.5, −1.4 against the average | −36%, −36% against the average | 2.5 | 0.00 | 17% |
Today's matches in the Referees module
Today's list across all leagues, with both teams' recent matches.
Next matches: Championship
- Norwich – CardiffNov 21
- Millwall – QPRNov 21
- Southampton – DerbyNov 21
- Middlesbrough – Bristol CityNov 21
- Stoke City – BirminghamNov 21
- Bolton – PortsmouthNov 21
- Lincoln – WrexhamNov 21
- West Ham – PrestonNov 21
- Wolves – CharltonNov 21
- Sheffield Utd – WatfordNov 21
- Swansea – West BromNov 21
- Burnley – BlackburnNov 22
By date, each with its match page.
How we count
We count both teams' yellow and red cards in the referee's matches in this league this season, from the match statistics, else from the live record. A referee is listed from 5 matches with cards. Penalties are given for the whole league only.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Championship referee shows the most cards?
- In the 2026/27 season: Josh Smith (4.9), Elliot Bell (4.7), and Matt Donohue (4.7). Referees with at least 5 matches in the league count.
- How many cards do Championship referees show on average?
- 3.9 per match in the 2026/27 season: 3.8 yellow and 0.12 red; 37% of matches had over 4.5 cards.
- How often is a penalty given in Championship matches?
- In 18% of the 2026/27 season's matches, 0.19 per match on average, all referees together.
Today's matches in the Referees module
Today's list across all leagues, with both teams' recent matches.