Top 10 teams to have received most red cards since 2000

Clubs from Italy and Spain dominate this unique list.

Football is a physical sport and the tempers can soar during matches. Players can be victims of lashing out and committing grave errors, leading to red cards. The discipline among players can be an issue and recent data sheds light on which teams are worst at it. It is the club’s and the players’ shared responsibility to avoid being sent off and keep composed throughout games.

However, some individuals can make erratic decisions in the heat of the moment. Compilation of data, covering the top five leagues in Europe, takes a look at the clubs which were awarded the most sending offs to players. Two particular leagues come into the focus upon looking at the data, emerging in poor light. 

Here is a look at the top 10 football clubs with most red cards since 2000.

10. AC Milan - 138

The Rossoneri have produced strong defenders traditionally. The Serie A outfit was a tough team to beat in the early 2000s and are on a road to resurgence. In terms of red cards, Milan had 138 players who were sent off across all competitions. Alessandro Costacurta is their all-time leading player with the most red cards (8). 

9. Athletic Bilbao - 138

Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao also has received 138 red cards since the 2000s in all competitions. The La Liga outfit is best known for following a policy allowing only players born in the Basque or those who learned their trade at a Basque club to represent the team. Their all-time leading player with most red cards is Andoni Goikoetxea (6). 

8. Udinese - 139

The Serie A outfit is next on the list with 139 sending offs since the turn of the century. The Serie A outfit’s Valerio Bertotto remains as the player with most red cards (6). Udinese has the third poorest record in terms of receiving most red cards in the Serie A.

7. Atletico Madrid - 143

The Madrid giants are a side with a pragmatic approach under Diego Simeone’s charge over the years. However, the La Liga outfit have seen erratic behaviour from their players. They have been awarded with 143 sending offs since 2000. Diego Godín has represented the side in the 2000s extensively, collecting three red cards and three double yellow cards in the process. 

6. Real Madrid - 153

Los Blancos are the most successful team in many competitions and one of the biggest clubs in the world. The Spanish giants, however, have also seen many of their players receive the marching orders in all competitions. Overall, 153 players have received red cards while playing for the club since 2000. Sergio Ramos remains the player with most red cards (8) from the club.

5. Espanyol - 158

Another La Liga club on the list is Espanyol. The outfit has seen 158 red cards handed down to their players since 2000. Their highest red-carded player is Mauricio Pochettino with four direct reds and seven yellow cards.

4. AS Roma - 164

Serie A club AS Roma is next up on the list with 164 sending offs to their name. The outfit struggles to dominate clubs like AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus in league standings but outperforms them on this parameter. Club legend Francesco Totti is their most nefarious player in this regard, getting 11 direct red cards and four double yellows. 

3. Valencia CF - 175

Among La Liga clubs, Valencia CF have received the second-highest direct red cards since 2000 in all competitions. David Albelda and Amedeo Carboni has received six direct reds each while Roberto Ayala got five red cards during his time with the club.

2. Sevilla - 181

Sevilla is the leading club from La Liga with most red cards in the 21st century. The club has seen 181 sending-offs in all competitions over the past 21 years. Their biggest offender of all time is Pablo Alfaro with six sending offs but the majority of his offences came earlier than the 2000s. Jesus Navas still plays for the team and he has received three red cards while at the club.

1. Lazio - 181

Joint at the top with Sevilla is Italian side Lazio with 181 sending-offs as well. The Serie A outfit has a big rivalry with AS Roma and their matches have often resulted in heated confrontations. Stefan Rudu, one of the current players in the squad has received three red cards and two double yellow cards, making him the club's highest sent-off player.

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