John Busby: referee stats
John Busby (England) has shown 3.67 cards per game in 94 analysed matches — −7% compared with the average of the same leagues. Profile: lenient.
Lenient · −7%Upcoming matches with John Busby
Portsmouth – Blackburn
19.09 14:00 · Championship · Exp. cards: 3.9 (league avg 3.9)
| Line | Over | Under | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 1.30 | 3.30 | 72% |
| 3.5 | 1.67 | 2.11 | 56% |
| 4.5 | 2.41 | 1.54 | 39% |
Average pre-match odds from 4 bookmakers; market probability without the margin. For information only.
Referee radar
Percentile among 2950 referees with at least 15 matches; 50 = typical referee. Each axis compares the referee with the average of the leagues where this referee officiates.
Cards per match (last 20 matches)
John Busby by competition
| Competition | Matches | Cards/g | League avg | vs league | Penalty | Red card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship England | 74 | 3.76 | 4.00 | −5% | 14% | 8% |
| League One England | 9 | 3.56 | 4.10 | −6% | 22% | 11% |
| League Two England | 6 | 3.50 | 4.21 | −6% | 17% | 0% |
| League Cup England | 4 | 2.25 | 3.22 | −7% | 25% | 0% |
| FA Cup England | 1 | 5.00 | 3.53 | +3% | 0% | 0% |
Last matches refereed by John Busby
| Date | Match | Score | Cards (home–away) | Fouls | Pen. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.09.2026 | Derby – BirminghamChampionship | 1:2 | 4 | 20 | 0 |
| 29.08.2026 | Cardiff – Sheffield UtdChampionship | 2:2 | 4 | 23 | 1 |
| 25.08.2026 | Stoke City – Hull CityLeague Cup | 1:1 | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| 22.08.2026 | Wrexham – WatfordChampionship | 1:1 | 2 | 24 | 0 |
| 25.04.2026 | QPR – DerbyChampionship | 2:3 | 4 | 20 | 0 |
| 18.04.2026 | Watford – Sheffield UtdChampionship | 0:2 | 6 | 20 | 0 |
| 11.04.2026 | Charlton – PrestonChampionship | 1:2 | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| 03.04.2026 | Newport County – Crawley TownLeague Two | 0:2 | 6 | 24 | 0 |
| 03.04.2026 | Birmingham – BlackburnChampionship | 0:1 | 1 | 21 | 0 |
| 21.03.2026 | QPR – PortsmouthChampionship | 6:1 | 6 | 26 | 1 |
| 07.03.2026 | Ipswich – LeicesterChampionship | 1:1 | 6 | 30 | 0 |
| 25.02.2026 | Sheffield Utd – CoventryChampionship | 1:2 | 5 | 26 | 0 |
| 21.02.2026 | Southampton – CharltonChampionship | 1:1 | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| 07.02.2026 | Birmingham – LeicesterChampionship | 2:1 | 3 | 21 | 0 |
| 31.01.2026 | Ipswich – PrestonChampionship | 1:1 | 3 | 21 | 1 |
How the numbers are calculated
Cards = yellow and red cards shown to players during 90 minutes (a second yellow counts as a yellow plus a red, as most bookmakers settle). Cards for coaches and substitutes on the bench and cards in extra time are excluded. Penalties = penalties awarded during the match (shoot-outs excluded). “vs league” compares the referee with the average of the exact league seasons this referee worked, so a referee from a card-heavy league is not called strict just because of the league.
Data: official match events and statistics (API-Sports), updated daily.
FAQ
How many cards does John Busby give per game?
On average 3.67 cards per game in 94 analysed matches (league average in the same competitions: 3.98).
Is John Busby a strict referee?
Compared with the leagues where John Busby officiates, the card count is −7% – profile: lenient. A red card appeared in 7% of these matches.
How often do matches with John Busby go over 4.5 cards?
Over 4.5 cards in 32% of matches and over 3.5 cards in 49%. Both teams were booked in 72%.
Does John Busby give many penalties?
A penalty was awarded in 15% of matches refereed by John Busby.
Which match will John Busby referee next?
Portsmouth – Blackburn (Championship) on 19.09.2026. Card probabilities for this match are shown above.