Sevilla are unhappy about the amount of yellow and red cards their players have accumulated in the current LaLiga season
Sevilla has accused LaLiga referees of unfair treatment this season and claimed that the number of red and yellow cards shown to their players is a cause for concern. The club issued a statement on Saturday. It states that the high number of cards should prompt league officials to take action. Sevilla cited that their team has received 91 yellows and 11 reds despite committing only 329 fouls.
Sevilla have received the highest number of cards, totaling 102, in LaLiga this season even though there are 13 other teams who have committed more fouls. After a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Friday, which saw two Sevilla players sent off, the team currently sits in 13th place in the table.
After finishing fourth for three seasons in a row, this season’s performance has been a source of frustration.
“Sevilla FC want to place on record its deep concern and opposition to many of the refereeing decisions taken this season regarding the yellow and red cards issued to our players.”
Sevilla said they “cannot agree with many of the decisions regarding the cards issued to our players. This in the long run has seriously harmed us in the league”.
Before the LaLiga games on Saturday, Sevilla had the highest number of red cards this season along with Elche, while Real Mallorca had the highest number of yellow cards (98), which is not surprising considering they had committed the most fouls (449).
Sevilla bemoans LaLiga’s ‘lack of consistency’
“On average, one in three fouls committed by Sevilla FC results in a card,” the club’s statement added.
“Focusing on the match against RC Celta, Sevilla FC committed 11 fouls in the match and received four yellow cards and two reds. While Celta received two yellows for nine fouls committed.
“Sevilla FC are clearly not an aggressive team which is why these statistics are alarming.
“It is clear that many of these cards may have been for protesting. Something that all players from all teams do. This shows that there is a lack of consistency in relation to protests. To put it plainly, an outrageous leniency with some and a heavy-handedness with others.”
Before Saturday’s games, 108 red cards had been given in LaLiga this season, while the Premier League had 28, the Bundesliga 33, Serie A 50 and Ligue 1 81. In previous seasons, it was typical for LaLiga to see over 100 red cards shown, but the league had not exceeded this number for the last six seasons, with the last time being in 2015-2016 when 103 red cards were given.
LaLiga is compared to the Premier League
“The average figures for the Spanish league should lead to an urgent wake-up call,” Sevilla added.
“La Liga is by far the league where referees show the most cards. The comparison with the Premier League, where a physical and much more contact-based style is played, speaks for itself. In the Premier League, with more matchdays played, 29 red cards have been shown to date; in La Liga, 108. More than triple.
“This is a striking difference. From Sevilla FC, we demand that these figures be analyzed. And that measures be taken when the decisions go against the spirit of the game.
“It is not about making excuses for the season the team is having. If Sevilla FC is where it is. it is based on sporting performance throughout the 28 league matches played. But it is about demanding equal treatment for all La Liga clubs and fairness when making decisions. Something that unfortunately is not observed anywhere today.”
