refereeing

Leicester’s situation this season is indeed puzzling. Their level of tackling has increased by 30% compared to last year, and the number of fouls called against them has risen by 22%. Yet, remarkably, the number of yellow cards they’ve received for those fouls has actually decreased. This contradiction raises an interesting question: how can a team ramp up their tackling intensity while simultaneously receiving fewer yellow cards in a league with supposedly stricter refereeing?

Despite the increased tackling, Leicester now concedes an average of 1.6 goals per game—nearly double the 0.89 goals per game they allowed last season. This suggests that while they are tackling more to counteract the goals they’re conceding, the reduction in yellow cards for fouls remains baffling. It’s a curious phenomenon that leaves fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.