Germany 2006 sees a record number of red and yellow cards.

Although it had long been possible for players to be cautioned and sent from the field of play, it was not until the 1970 World Cup that yellow and red cards were introduced to confirm a referee’s decision.

Since the Mexico tournament of that year, the number of cards, of both colours, has steadily increased, with Germany 2006 seeing 28 sendings off and 307 yellow cards – a World Cup record.

The biggest culprit during the this tournament proved to be France legend Zinedine Zidane, who picked up three yellows en route to the Final against Italy, where he was then sent off for an off the ball headbutt on Marco Materazzi.

The worst match for disciplinary was between the Netherlands and Portugal, which saw Russian referee Valentin Ivanov send off four players for second bookable offences and caution a further eight.