"Managers have been right to highlight inconsistencies and controversial decisions in games, but without a proper analysis of refereeing decisions over a period of time, their comments look like the usual post-match gripe, especially if they are on the losing side," said lead study author Peter Dawson from the University of Bath, New Zealand.

    Researchers analyzed more than 2,600 top English soccer matches from 1996 to 2003 and discovered referees gave more penalties in the form of yellow and red cards to players of the visiting team. Yellow cards are used to caution players of misconduct, while red cards banish them from the field.

    Dawson and colleagues also found that underdogs get hit with penalties more often than favorites. Referees also make more calls in end of the season matches. They also found home teams play more aggressively in front of large crowds.

    "The evidence we have collected and analyzed provides a firm factual foundation that will help football's authorities debate what positive action they might take to ensure fair and equitable refereeing of matches in the future," Dawson said.

    Researchers suggested that increased use of video replays and more referees per game, could add consistency to referee decisions.

    The study will be detailed in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A.

    (Agencies)