Which player has committed the most fouls?

A look at the Premier League players who’ve committed the most fouls. And what it says about their role, style, and impact on matches.

In football, matches aren’t just shaped by goals and assists. Plenty of games turn because someone mistimes a challenge, clips a runner, or steps across an opponent just as they’re making an attacking move.

Football fouls are part of the game, especially at the highest level. While some are careless mistakes, others are deliberate, tactical, and calculated.

Looking at foul statistics helps explain roles, responsibility, and how teams manage pressure. It also reveals which players spend their careers stepping into danger, even when it means conceding free kicks.

This is where the numbers start to matter.

Who has committed the most fouls in Premier League history?

When it comes to all-time Premier League records, there’s a clear answer.

Gareth Barry has committed the most fouls in Premier League history, with 633 fouls across 653 appearances. His career spanned Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton and West Brom, and his longevity plays a huge role in that total.

Barry wasn’t known for reckless tackles or losing his temper. His fouls usually came from reading danger early, stepping in to slow transitions, and taking responsibility in midfield. That approach also explains why he holds the record for the most yellow cards in Premier League history too.

He tops a list packed with players who made physical involvement part of their job.

The top foul-makers of the Premier League era

Several familiar names sit just behind Barry on the all-time list:

Kevin Davies – 605 fouls

Marouane Fellaini – 588 fouls

James Milner – 503 fouls

Ashley Young – 491 fouls

Gabriel Agbonlahor – 439 fouls

What stands out is the mix of positions. Defensive midfielders feature heavily, but so do physical forwards and attacking players who spent years fighting for space.

These players weren’t committing fouls for the sake of it, but were tasked with disrupting play, protecting teammates, or occupying difficult areas of the pitch. But let’s be honest, there’s also a healthy dose of aggression involved too, just enough to make the opposition reconsider their life choices.

Who has committed the most fouls this season?

So far in the 2025–26 season, João Gomes has committed the most fouls, with 41. He sits ahead of players like Saša Lukić and Antoine Semenyo, who are also heavily involved in physical contests.

Foul totals tend to reflect trust. Coaches rely on certain players to step in when games become stretched or chaotic. Those players are often positioned to absorb pressure, take contact, and reset the game. Of course, it also helps if you’re not too worried about arriving half a second late.

Why do some players give away so many fouls?

Fouling is often tactical.

Players in central midfield are asked to break up play, slow counters, and protect space, so they’re involved in high-pressure challenges and aggressive tackles. Teams also tend to rack up fouls higher up the pitch as they try to win the ball back quickly.

While attacking style plays a big part, so does individual approach. Some players rely on timing and positioning, while others are more aggressive in duels. Both can be effective if they stop play, but every foul runs the risk of a card, a dangerous free kick, or an opportunity for the opposing team to turn around play.

How football fouls link to yellow cards and red cards

Foul counts and discipline are closely related, but they don’t always move together.

A player can commit several small fouls without seeing a yellow card, while another can be booked from a single mistimed challenge. Referees consider repetition, timing, and location on the pitch, not just volume or aggression.

Over longer periods, persistent fouling does tend to attract attention. That’s where foul data overlaps with patterns in yellow cards and red cards. And if we read these numbers together, we can get a clearer sense of how players manage risk.

Follow football’s physical battles with Match Bingo

Fouls often signal shifts in momentum. A run of challenges can show when pressure is building or when control is starting to slip.

Match Bingo tracks those moments live. Our boards react to tackles, fouls, and changes in tempo, helping you follow how matches are unfolding beyond the goals.

If you enjoy the physical side of the game, this is where to follow it.

Follow the site to see the stats.