Premier League yellow cards not a black and white issue
Colouring the issue: black Premier League footballers receive fewer yellow cards than white players on average
Researchers from University of Surrey analysed data over five seasons and found that black and mixed race players were up to a third less likely to get booked. The lower rate is likely to be due to a preponderance of forwards among black players, whereas the study found that defenders and midfielders were more likely to be cautioned by referees. However, after adjusting the statistics for position, time on the pitch and club, the researchers found no evidence of racial bias. Dr Rob Witt of the university's economics department said: "Our study finds no evidence that ethnic minority players are treated unfairly by referees. "If anything, there is evidence that referees appear to behave more leniently towards black and mixed race players than towards white players." The findings contrast with a 2007 study into NBA basketball, which found that over a period of more than a decade, white referees were more likely to call fouls on black players than on white players.
