The 2023/24 Premier League season has included some rule changes to clamp down on deliberate time-wasting and foul play across the English top flight.
As part of the updated rules, referees will take a zero-tolerance approach towards blatant attempts by players to waste time and disrupt the flow of matches, including the cynical delaying of opposition free-kicks.
This has seen a rise in yellow and reds cards since the start of the campaign, as referees look to invoke the new rules with firmness and increase the amount of added time at the end of games as a result.
Yellow and red cards could rise as a result of the new changes and The Sporting News looks at how Premier League suspension rules work and who has been given the most yellow and red cards this season.
MORE: Premier League fixtures for 2023/24 season
Premier League yellow, red card suspension rules
Standard in-game rules remain the same in Premier League action, with two yellow cards in a match equalling a red, and an immediate player dismissal.
A sending off for two yellow cards will mean an instant one-game Premier League ban, with a straight red card incurring a three-game ban, which can be increased or decreased in certain scenarios where violent conduct is involved.
Suspension rules are also in place for yellow card accumulation throughout a season. Players will be suspended for one game if they receive five yellow cards inside the first 19 games of the season. If 10 yellow cards are picked up before/including the 32nd game of the season, a player will be banned for two further matches.
Who has the most Premier League red cards, yellow cards in 2023/24?
Fulham’s Joao Palhinha is the player with the most Premier League yellow cards so far in 2023/24, with 13.
So far this season, Chelsea have received the most yellow cards (92). Leeds United (2021/22) hold the record for Premier League bookings in one season (101), a mark that is under threat as Mauricio Pochettino’s side had six games left to play after their 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal.
Below are the players who have collected the most yellow cards so far through the Premier League season.
