| Things are going from bad to worse here as nerves fray and
tempers flare as the end of the season approaches. We thought last week was bad
enough, with no less than 66 yellows and six reds when all the scorecards were
added up, but this week has even passed that, with a provisional figure of 68
yellows and seven reds before all the reports are in. First of all just to
finish off from last week, the disciplinary committee handed out suspensions
totalling 18 man-days (or man-matches if you like), with Poschner and
Iván De la Peña both picking up two match bans, the first for
getting sent off too often and the second after a special hearing studied
evidence of his SAS style attack on Gancedo. High though this figure may seem,
this week's committee should pass that, with according to our reckoning no less
than thitrteen players reaching the next threshhold, including such well known
names as Guardiola and Gabri from Barcelona, Djukic and Juan Sánchez
from Valencia, Real Sociedad's De Pedro and Guayre from Las Palmas.
Villarreal's Amor is the first player to reach the third suspension level of
fifteen yellow cards (that works out at just under one every two games),
although so far he has avoided a red. Add the thirteen to the seven red cards
dished out and we are sure of at least 20 man-matches in bans, although
recidivists such as new Spanish international Téllez could receive
longer penalties than the minimum one game. Téllez got his marching
orders for the third time this season at the end of a bad tempered local derby
between Athletic Bilbao and Alavés, with Bilbao's Alkiza leaving the
field early as well after a two footed lunging tackle on an Alavés
player. Two men sent off in the game between Deportivo and Espanyol as well,
even though it was not really a dirty game, with Cristóbal getting the
chance to take a clean bath before the rest of his side after picking up a
second yellow card. Donato followed soon afterwards, although the grandfather
of Spanish football may have had to have a bed bath instead. He came off worse
out of the tackle that earned him his second booking, Daudén
Ibáñez showing him the red as he was being stretchered off.
Thanks ref, just what I wanted to make me feel better! Other reds included
Rayo's Setvalls (direct red), Villarreal's Gracia (two yellows), and Real
Sociedad's Jankauskas, who got himself a direct red for elbowing Ramón
from Las Palmas in the face (happens every night on the beach resorts).
Barcelona's Puyol was lucky not to share the same fate as he opened up Gustavo
López's eyebrow with his elbow, an incident which caused some swinging
of handbags at the end of the match with Celta. Although Puyol claimed it was
accidental and eventually kissed and made up with López, he could
receive a ban if the disciplinary committee decide to pursue the matter
further. It wouldn't be the first time. (30.04.01) |
