Lewis Dunk has become the first payer of the 2025-26 Premier League season to receive a two-match ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards.
The Brighton and Hove Albion defender was booked for time-wasting in his side’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool, meaning he reached the threshold for disciplinary action for the second time this season, having already served a one-match ban for receiving five yellows before 3 January.
Several other Premier League players who were close to a one-match ban after accumulating four yellow cards have found themselves on much safer ground since that date, which saw the threshold for a ban rise from five to 10 yellow cards.
Until that point in the season, players received a one-match ban for being shown five yellow cards in their side’s first 19 Premier League matches.
But after 19 games, the ban moved to 10 yellow cards – albeit with a harsher punishment. Players who accumulate 10 yellow cards prior to the conclusion of the 32nd game receive a ban of two matches rather than one.
Total yellow cards received before 3 January were carried into the next phase of games, but players on four yellow cards are no longer one card away from suspension until they reach nine yellow cards.
Should any players receive 15 yellow cards in a season, they will acquire a three-match suspension.
Four players are currently one yellow card away from a two-match suspension, and a number of players are also only two bookings shy of a ban.
