Euro 2021 Referee Fouls, Cards Stats

The drama and glamour of the 1×2 and goals markets often lure even experienced bettors away from what is really important – value. The bookings lines are often forgotten by bookmakers and bettors alike, leaving low hanging fruit for those who know where to look.

This is a market that doesn’t only rely on the performance of the players, but who the match official is. In fact, one may notice a huge discrepancy in styles between specific referees.

For example, Referee A gives out 5 yellow cards per match in a specific competition, and the bookmakers have him giving more than 3,5 yellows at 1,90 odds. This is a no-brainer, and any bettor should jump at the opportunity to back the over. Unfortunately, opportunities like this won’t just fall into our lap, and it will take some work to find them.

This is why we will be analyzing some of the referees of the tournament and taking a close look at their numbers to try and find betting opportunities of value.

Felix Brych (Germany)

The 45-year old German ref has been named Best Man Referee of the decade (2011-2020) and of the century (2001-2020). Brych is a referee in the German Bundesliga as of 2004, and is considered one of the top officials of his generation.. He averages 3,18 yellow cards per game, but his numbers are higher in major competitions.

Key Fact: Brych enjoys the big moments and is a good candidate for the over on yellow cards.

Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey)

Çakir is an experienced ref with many high-profile matches under his belt. The former insurance agent is one of the first professional referees in Turkey and is currently officiating in the Turkish SuperLig. He averages 27,38 fouls per game, along with 3,42 yellow and 0,19 red cards per match. Çakır has been a FIFA listed referee since 2006 and an UEFA elite since 2010.

Key fact: His booking numbers have steadily been decreasing, making him an excellent candidate for the under market.

Carlos Del Cerro Grande (Spain)

Del Cerro is a former police officer who now ensures discipline on the football pitch. He has been a ref in La Liga since 2011 and an FIFA listed official since 2013. Del Cerro can get trigger happy at times and averages 4,59 yellow cards per match.

Key fact: Grande once gave out nine yellows and a red card in an UEFA Nations League match, making him an ideal candidate for the over on bookings.

Andreas Ekberg (Sweden)

He has been a full-time international referee for FIFA since 2013. He became a professional referee in 2004 and has been an Allsvenskan referee since 2009. Ekerg averaged 0,20 penalties and 3,10 yellow cards in 10 matches in major european competitions. Ekberg isn’t one to go for a booking right off the bat, and his numbers have decreased in recent matches.

Key fact: Ekberg averaged 1,5 bookings in his last four matches, making him a great candidate for the under on bookings.

Orel Grinfeld (Israel)

Orel Grinfeld has been on the FIFA referee list since 2012 and has officiated nine major international matches. Grinfeld has proven to be trigger happy at times, and averages 4,22 yellow cards per match. He is a good candidate for the over in the bookings category.

Key fact: Grinfeld has only called one penalty in his last 12 matches, and is an excellent pick for the under.

Ovidiu Alin Hategan (Romania)

Hategan originally majored in medicine, and later taught anatomy at a private university in Arad, Romania. He has been a referee in the Romanian Liga I since 2006 and a FIFA lister ref since 2008. Hategan reaches for his pocket a lot less in major international tournaments than in domestic matches.

Key fact: He averaged 2,90 yellows per match in 10 major matches and called just one penalty in his last 10 matches overall. The under for both markets gives punters excellent value.

Sergei Karasev (Russia)

Sergei Karasev is a 41-year old referee in the Russian Premier League. He has been listed by FIFA since 2010. Karasev is married with two children. His primary hobby is attending metal concerts. In his interview for RIA Novosti, he names Slayer as his favourite metal band.

Key fact: Karasev calls 0,5 penalties per match, and has the second highest red card average at 0,37 per match. The best bet for any match he officiates will definitely be one of these two lines.

Istvan Kovacs (Romania)

The second ref from Romania to be called up for the Euros, Kovacs has been officiating the Romanian Liga I, and has been listed by FIFA since 2010. With no particular favor for penalties or reds, Kovacs’ hand often reaches for the yellow, with an average of 3,80 per match.

Key fact: Kovacs dished 14 yellows in his last three matches for an average of 4,6 per game, making him an ideal candidate for the over in this regard.

Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)

Bjorn Kuipers is a Dutch ref who has been officiating the Eredivisie since 2005. He has been on FIFA’s list since 2006 and in UEFA’s elite since 2009. Kuiper calls a low number of fouls per match, compared to his peers, with 21,56 per match. Additionally, his yellow card averages are also quite low at 2,34 per match.

Key fact: Kuipers is 48 years old and will likely attempt to avoid controversy in an effort to guarantee himself a shot at the final. Backing the under on bookings in his matches will guarantee bettors lots of value.

Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Makkelie is another Dutch ref from the Eredivisie who doesn’t reach for his pocket too often, with card averages of 3,34 and 0,26 for yellow and red respectively. However, Makkelie has been known to call a penalty or two in the Eredivisie and the Champions League.

Key fact: Makkelie averages 0,64 penalties per match in these two leagues and is a solid candidate for the over market in that category.

Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain)

Lahoz has been officiating La Liga matches since 2008 and has become known for his talkative approach to the game. Lahoz has no lack of experience, and has officiated some very important and high-profile matches. The Spaniard is never shy to reach for his yellows, and will happily do so. The only two teams not to be booked in matches he officiated are Lazio and Osasuna. Lahoz is a textbook candidate for backing the over on the bookings category.

Key fact: Lahoz averaged 4,59 yellows per match and punters should keep an eye on his name in the over.

Michael Oliver (England)

Oliver is a 36-year old referee from England who has been officiating the Premier League since 2010. Oliver has officiated in the Champions League, Europa League, and two FA Cup final matches. He has been FIFA listed since 2012 and a UEFA elite since 2018. Oliver is a bit card shy, with averages of 3,14 yellow and 0,11 red cards per match, and bettors should be looking for the under in his matches.

Key fact: Oliver averages 0,64 penalties per match and has dished them out in three of his last five matches. Punters should be on the lookout for the over in the penalty market.

Daniele Orsato (Italy)

Orsato officiates in the Italian Serie A and has been a FIFA listed ref since 2010. Orsato has also officiated high-profile Champions League matches and was awarded best referee of the 2020 calendar year by the IFFHS. Orsato is always a candidate for the over on yellow cards, with 4,65 per match, but he doesn’t point to the penalty spot often. He averages just 0,09 penalties per match, so look for the under for penalties in any match he officiates.

Key fact: In a match between Manchester United and PSG, Orsato dished out 10 yellow cards and sent Pogba home in the 89th minute.

Artur Manuel Ribeiro Soares Dias (Portugal)

The 41-year old Portuguese ref has been FIFA and UEFA listed since 2010. He has officiated matches in the Champions League and Europa League, apart from the domestic Primeira Liga. He has been reaching for his pocket very often in recent matches, so look for the over for bookings whenever Dias steps onto the pitch.

Key fact: In a recent duel between Benfica and Porto, Dias dished out 11 yellow cards.

Daniel Siebert (Germany)

Siebert has been officiating since 1998 and is a first category UEFA ref, and a FIFA listed official. He has been dealing justice in the Bundesliga since 2012 and entered international waters in 2015. He averages 3,77 yellows per match, but is very unlikely to send players away, with an average of 0,06 red cards per match. Siebert is also unlikely to give out penalties in the tournament, averaging just 0,13 per match.

Key fact: Siebert dished out just one red card in his last 20 matches.

Anthony Taylor (England)

Taylor is a 42-year old ref from England who has been officiating in the Premier League since 2010. He got his opportunity to work at the international level in 2013 and became a FIFA listed official. Taylor averages 3,08 bookings per match, but his averages increase in high-profile matches.

Key fact: With an average of 0,53 penalties per match, Taylor is one of the most likely refs to award a penalty. Keep an eye on his name in the penalties market.

Clément Turpin (France)

The 39-year old Frenchman has been officiating Ligue 1 matches since 2008, and got his chance to work in international waters in 2010. His penalty numbers are higher than average at 0,44 per match, but it’s his tendency to deal red cards that stands out the most in his resume. In one fixture with Monaco and Lyon in early May, Turpin dealt a whopping five red cards.

Key fact: Turpin has dealt red cards in three of his last five matches.

Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)

The Slovenian ref earned his right to officiate international matches in 2010, after working in the Slovenian PrvaLiga for a number of years. Vinčić doesn’t allow himself to become the center of attention, regularly dealing under 3 yellow cards per match, and almost no reds. He only dealt one red card and three penalties in his last 20 matches, making him an ideal candidate for the under in all three categories.

Key fact: Vincic is the replacement for injured compatriot Damir Skomina. Slavko will likely be looking to keep a low profile in order to guarantee himself another appearance in a major tournament.

Fernando Rapallini (Argentina)

Fernando Rapallini will be officiating in the Euro 2020 competition as part of an exchange programme between UEFA and CONMEBOL. Rapallini will be the first South American to officiate an European Championship. He has been working in the Argentinian Primera Division since 2011, and a FIFA listed ref since 2014. Rapallini is the most likely to reach for his pocket, with a whopping 6,81 yellow and 0,31 red cards per match.

Key fact: Rapallini has dealt five or more cards in his last five matches, making him a prime example of a candidate bettors should keep in mind.