Black card surge this year but referees' chief wants more

The number of black cards issued during this year’s All-Ireland SFC and national league totalled 207, an increase of 27% on last year’s figure.

And yesterday, the Chairperson of the National Referees Committee backed the controversial punishment, though he admits the policing of the rule needs to be more consistent.

Across 64 championship games this summer, 71 black cards were dished out by referees, an increase of 13 on last year’s total of 58.