SUMMARY
- To keep the game of soccer fair the referees are given the right to book a player with yellow and red cards.
- A yellow card is given to players to commit a foul, repeated or serious offence can land on a red card.
Yellow cards and red cards constitute an important part of soccer. The referees are given the job of ensuring that the players behave according to the laws of the game. Goals and clean sheets are major terms in soccer. However, player bookings by referees also hold the potential to turn a match on its head.
The first yellow card signifies a warning to the player. A second yellow could result in the player getting a red card. After that, a player will be further suspended from taking part in that particular match. However, serious fouls can result in a direct red card for players as well. Here we take a look at some of the soccer players who were never booked in their career.
Gary Lineker
Former England international Garry Lineker was known for his sheer finishing skills playing as a center-forward. Apart from representing England on the international stage, he also played for some of the top English clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Everton FC.
This stat is unreal! 😮🤯
Gary Lineker is the only footballer in history that has never been booked.
Yes you read that right, not one yellow or red card during his entire career. During that time he played for 16 years which is also 567 matches. pic.twitter.com/Xvw7YzQ7i0
— Football Factly (@FootballFactly) November 21, 2023
However, the most impressive thing about him was the fact that he was never booked in his entire career as a player. Playing a sum of about 567 matches at the highest level, Garry Lineker neither committed a single offence which resulted in a red or a yellow card shown to him.
William Ambrose
William Ambrose (also known as Billy Wright), was one of the most respected figures in the soccer hierarchy. He became the first player in the history of soccer to make 100 appearances for a particular country on the international stage.
The England international is recognized as a club legend among the fans of the Premier League club Wolves (Wolverhampton Wanderers). Just like Gary Lineker, William Ambrose also managed to stay out of the referee’s books by never committing an on-field offense resulting in a card for him during his career.
Jimmy Dickinson
During a stellar career lasting for about a period of 19 years, Jimmy Dickinson played for the England club Portsmouth FC. He is regarded as one of the most crucial figures in the club’s history. Jimmy Dickinson played over 800 matches at the highest level.
Portsmouth star Jimmy Dickinson#PFC #Pompey #Portsmouth pic.twitter.com/qL1qOs3Voj
— Football Memories (@footballmemorys) May 4, 2018
Jimmy prominently played at the position of left half during his days as a player. Even after playing such a high number of matches, the Portsmouth legend was never booked during any of the matches he played. Neither a yellow card nor a red card was ever shown to him by the officials in charge.
Sir Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews is majorly known for his stint at the club level with some of the top teams. He represented the American club – Toronto City, and the English sides Stoke City, and Blackpool. His soccer career was an elongated one lasting for about 33 years.
However, his major spell came at Stoke City where he earned his name as one of the top players at that time. Reports suggest, he also adds to the list of players who never got booked on the pitch. During his career spanning over three decades, Sir Stanley Matthews never witnessed a yellow or a red card due to any rash fouls committed.