Craig Pawson Referee Stats 2025/26: Cards, Fouls & Match Profile

Q: What is Craig Pawson's average card rate in the 2025/26 season?

As of early 2026, Craig Pawson is averaging 2.23 yellow cards per game in the Premier League (29 yellows in 13 matches). This represents a significant decrease from his 2024/25 average of 4.64 cards per game.

Herrin Kendrick

Feb 8, 2026

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Craig Pawson Referee Statistics & Profile | 2025/26 Data

Craig Pawson: Referee Profile & Stats (2025/26)

Craig Pawson (born March 2, 1979) is a veteran Select Group 1 official hailing from South Yorkshire. A permanent fixture in the Premier League since 2013, Pawson previously served on the FIFA international list from 2015 through 2024. He has officiated over 270 top-flight matches in England.

This profile focuses on Pawson’s performance data for the 2025/2026 campaign. While his career baseline suggests a strict disciplinarian style (career average ~3.7 yellow cards per game), the current season reveals a stark deviation. His booking frequency has dropped significantly, signalling a more lenient approach to game management compared to previous years.

Market Context: Historically reliable for high booking points, Pawson’s 2025/26 output has regressed heavily to the under. He is currently averaging just over 2 bookings per game in the Premier League, making him one of the statistically “quieter” officials this term.

2025/26 KPI Grid (Premier League)

2.23 Yellows/Game

0.08 Reds/Game

20.23 Fouls/Game

0.08 Pens/Game

Statistical Trends: Season Comparison

The bar chart below illustrates the dramatic shift in Pawson’s disciplinary threshold. After a strict 2024/25 season, his card output has effectively halved in the current campaign.

Cards/Game (24/25)

4.64

Cards/Game (25/26)

2.23

Analysis: In the previous 2024/25 season, Pawson was prolific, issuing 102 yellow cards in 22 matches. In the current 2025/26 season, he has issued only 29 yellows across 13 matches. This suggests either a specific change in PGMOL directives for him or a personal adjustment in how he applies the advantage rule.

Form Guide: Card Frequency (Last 8 Matches)

The sparkline below tracks the total cards (Yellow + Red) issued by Pawson in his last 8 domestic fixtures, ordered from newest (left) to oldest (right).

Most Recent (Arsenal v Man Utd) 8 Matches Ago

Note: The noticeable spike represents the high-discipline fixture between Fulham and Manchester City (9 cards).

Home vs Away Bias (2025/26)

Metric	Home Team	Away Team
Fouls / Game	10.60	10.15
Yellows / Game	1.92	2.08
Reds (Total)	0	1

Pawson displays a high level of neutrality this season. Interestingly, while Home teams are penalized for fouls slightly more frequently (10.60 per game), Away teams are statistically more likely to receive a booking (2.08 per game).

Recent Match Log

Below is the detailed disciplinary record for Craig Pawson’s most recent assignments across all competitions.

25 Jan 2026 Premier League

Arsenal 2 – 3 Man Utd
5 0
10 Jan 2026 FA Cup

Tottenham 1 – 2 Aston Villa
5 0
04 Jan 2026 Premier League

Fulham 2 – 2 Liverpool
4 0
01 Jan 2026 Championship

Hull 0 – 1 Stoke
1 0
27 Dec 2025 Premier League

Burnley 0 – 0 Everton
0 0
13 Dec 2025 Premier League

Liverpool 2 – 0 Brighton
2 0
02 Dec 2025 Premier League

Fulham 4 – 5 Man City
9 0
29 Nov 2025 Premier League

Everton 1 – 4 Newcastle
5 0

Referee FAQ

What is Craig Pawson’s average card rate in 2025/26?

As of February 2026, Craig Pawson is averaging 2.23 yellow cards per game in the Premier League (29 yellows in 13 matches). This represents a significant decrease from his 2024/25 average of 4.64 cards per game.

Does Craig Pawson award many penalties?

In the current 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Pawson has awarded penalties at a rate of 0.08 per game (1 penalty in 13 matches). Historically, he has shown a specific tendency to award penalties to Manchester City, awarding them 9 penalties in 30 games.

How often does Craig Pawson show red cards?

Pawson has a moderate red card record. In the 2025/26 season, he has issued 1 red card in 13 Premier League games (0.08 per match). Over his entire Premier League career (279 matches), he averages roughly 0.14 red cards per game (39 total).

Is Craig Pawson stricter on home or away teams?

Current season data indicates a balanced approach with a slight statistical bias toward penalizing away teams. While home teams commit slightly more fouls (10.60 vs 10.15), Pawson issues slightly more yellow cards to away teams (2.08) compared to home teams (1.92).

What is Craig Pawson’s refereeing style?

Craig Pawson is an experienced official who generally allows the game to flow but has historically had high card-count seasons. However, his 2025/26 performance marks a shift toward extreme leniency, dropping his card average significantly below the league median compared to his strict 2024/25 form.

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