Euros red cards: which teams have had the most players sent off at the UEFA European Championships?

Ever since Alan Mullery of England became the first player to be sent off at the Euros in 1968, there have been 39 red cards issued at tournaments
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The UEFA European Championship represents the pinnacle of international football for the continent's elite.

Held in the summer months, temperatures can rise quickly on and off the pitch as players compete to be crowned Europe's national team champions.

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The nature of competition, the public spotlight and the weight of a country's hopes can often prove too much for players to handle in a pressure cooker match.

These are the teams who have been issued with the most red cards at the Euros. (Pic: Getty)These are the teams who have been issued with the most red cards at the Euros. (Pic: Getty)
These are the teams who have been issued with the most red cards at the Euros. (Pic: Getty)

A flash of red tend to see simmering tensions on the pitch reach boiling point as players lose their cool in the heat of the battle on the biggest stage.

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Here we take a look at those teams who have had the most players sent off in the 60-year history of the Euros, according to UEFA stats.

Which team has received the most red cards?

Ever since Alan Mullery of England became the first player to be sent off at the Euros way back in 1968, there have been 39 red cards issued at the tournament.

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The last player to be sent off, prior to Euro 2020, was Ireland's Shane Duffy in a last 16 match against France in 2016 that Les Bleus went on to win 2-1.

England are among 12 nations to have seen a player receive one red card at the Euros, six nations have had a man sent off twice and four nations have received three reds.

One nation stands alone as having received the most number of red cards at the Euros - Yugoslavia.

Netherlands, Russia, France and Bulgaria have all had three red cards, Italy, Ireland, Czech Republic, Germany, Turkey and Switzerland have all seen two players sent off at the Euros.

Table of teams with the most red cards at Euros

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Ranking

1

2

2

2

2

6

6

6

6

6

6

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

Country

Yugoslavia

Netherlands

Russia

France

Bulgaria

Italy

Republic of Ireland

Czech Republic

Germany

Turkey

Switzerland

Austria

Slovakia

Croatia

Greece

England

Denmark

Albania

Belgium

Sweden

Spain

Romania

Poland

No. of red cards

4

3

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

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