Betis became the second team this year to end the match with eight men (Atlético were the first two weeks ago), after referee Turienzo Alvarez sent off three players. Varela was the first to go, a young player who despite his great skills has featured in our tables in the past, and unless the disciplinary committee uphold his appeal he will take second place in our rankings for now. Luis Fernández was to follow, also for a double booking, and finally Filipescu got himself red-carded after a linesman told the referee that he had pushed his hand into Raúl Molina's face. Molina did make a meal of it apparently, but the Romanian could well be in big trouble as Turienzo included in his report that he had punched the linesman on the arm when leaving the pitch. .

Only one more red card at the weekend, Racing's Neru sacrificing himself for the team in the last minute lunging at Nihat in injury time to stop him scoring the winner. Little good it did though as De Pedro scored from the resulting penalty anyway. Finally we have the first two men to reach the five yellow card threshold in the league (one or two have done it in league and cup). Athletic's right back César and Málaga captain Roteta are the lucky winners, and their prize will be to sit out the next match up in the stands. Expect a lot more to follow in a week or two. (29.10.02)