As reported last week, Rivaldo's punch at Lacruz could cost him dearly. Last week's disciplinary committee hearing decided to ask for more reports from all sides, and with the referee saying he didn't see the incident the committee are expected to act on video evidence and ban the Brazilian striker for three games or so. The hearing also opened up an investigation into Gallardo's unorthodox celebration when Reyes scored last week against Valladolid. The Spanish under 21 international was caught by press cameras biting Reyes in the most delicate part of his body, (somewhere around the front of the trouser region) and may be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

This week saw three players sent off in the midweek cup matches and four more at the weekend in the league. Rayo had to play half of their cup tie at Albacete with ten men after Urbano picked up a second yellow card just after the break, and two players, Levante's Roa and Villarreal's Quique Alvarez, both suffered similar fates in extra time of their 'copa del rey' clash. Alvarez moves second in our chart behind Rayo's Argentine defender Graff, who is making the wrong sort of shock waves since joining from Sporting in the summer. He was already top of the yellow card table before the weekend's match at Valladolid, and picked up two more in a minute before half time in that match to leave his side struggling with a man short.

Darío Silva returned from Uruguay happy that his goal helped his country qualify for the World Cup, but with the shadow of his child's illness hanging over him. His mind was obviously then not on the job in hand, and his late tackle on Xabi Alonso earned him a direct red card, much to the anger of the Málaga crowd who threw bottles at anyone within range. The ground could be closed as a result. Tenerife ended the day with eight players on the pitch after two men were sent off and substitute Bicho Fuertes was stretchered off with all three changes already made. Basavilbaso was the first to go for a second bookable offence, and Marioni followed him later in the second half when he was given a second yellow for diving in the penalty area. Elsewhere Kluivert, Larrazábal and Magno will all miss the next league match after picking up their fifth yellow cards of the season. (03.12.01)