The most revolutionary step recorded in footballing history to maintain decorum on the field was the introduction of the red card. However, even with such a system in place, players haven’t shied away from making some appalling tackles in games. With a league as physical as the English top-flight, red cards are bound to pop up every now and then. On that note, here are 5 players who have received the most number of red cards in the history of the Premier League.
5. Lee Cattermole – 7 red cards
Kicking off the list in fifth place is Sunderland stalwart Lee Cattermole. After being named the youngest captain in Middlesbrough’s history, Cattermole moved to the Black Cats in 2009, where he spent his next 10 years. Having justifiably earned his reputation as a tough-tackling midfielder, the Englishman was seen struggling with disciplinary issues on multiple occasions. Despite spending a relatively shorter term in the Premier League, as compared to others on the list, Cattermole managed to amass 7 red cards. In 272 Premier League appearances, Cattermole has one more red card than he has goals.
4. Roy Keane – 7 red cards
The certified aggressor of his team, Roy Keane, was regarded as a warrior in both metaphorical as well as literal sense. The angry Irishman was a feisty midfielder, to say the least. His constant brawls with Arsenal starman Patrick Viera have achieved legendary status in present times. Such high was his aggression that he purposely broke Alf-Inge Haaland’s knee through a vicious tackle due to a personal tussle between the two. Owing to his hostile antics, Keane was awarded 7 red cards during his Premier League career. The Manchester United legend retired in 2006 and works as a football pundit now.
3. Richard Dunne – 8 red cards
Having been a mainstay at Manchester City in a pre-cash era, Richard Dunne was seen as a key figure at the Etihad Stadium during his nine-year spell with the club. However, aside from his astute defending skills, Dunne was also popular for his drop-sized temper. In his Premier League-exclusive career, the Irish centre-back, who also turned out for Everton, Aston Villa, and Queens Park Rangers, has 8 red cards to his name. Morphing into a pretty dirty player at times, Dunne received an equal number of straight reds and two yellows during his career in England.
2. Patrick Viera – 8 red cards
Roy Keane’s bitter adversary, Patrick Viera, has one more sending off to his name than his counterpart. The Frenchman was, and still is, a celebrated defensive midfielder. Regarded as one of the best in his position, Viera also had a reputation for being a hothead. While the Arsenal legend was much more composed than the first entry on this list, he still managed to stack up the joint-highest number of red cards in the Premier League. Out of the 8 sending offs he received as a player, only 2 were straight reds. Viera left the Premier League in 2005 to join Juventus.
1. Duncan Ferguson – 8 red cards
Duncan Ferguson was as violent a sportsman as they come. Despite being a striker, the Scotsman had a knack for engaging in the roughest on-field scuffles ever seen on the football pitch. He played most of his senior career in the Premier League, with the majority of his time being spent in Merseyside with Everton. More known for his fiery aggression than his actual skills as a professional, Ferguson managed to rack up 8 red cards in his 12-year-long Premier League career. The most interesting bit about this number is that 6 of his marching orders were issued as straight red cards.
