For the second week in a row their were seven players sent off in the league, five of which were straight red cards. The game between Espanyol and Betis produced three of these, with the home side's Domoraud getting the first before the break for a high tackle on Alfonso, Joaquín following in the second half after pushing David García in the face, and David García leaving Espanyol with nine for the last couple of minutes with an unnecessary trip on Denilson in injury time. Of the three, Joaquín's could be the most serious, and he could get a longer ban if the disciplinary committee decide it was a deliberate blow.

Recreativo's young striker Xisco set the season's record for the fastest sending off, coming on as substitute in the second half and getting his marching orders four minutes later for a hard tackle on an opponent. Mallorca's Pandiani also lost his nerves in the second half of the game against Real Madrid, and had to take the long walk after tripping Figo from behind.

Two players were sent off for second bookable offences, Desio from Alavés and Rojas from Málaga, who was only in the side as Josemi and Fernando Sanz were serving out one match bans after being shown the red card the week before. Finally five players reached the five yellow card limit and will be suspended for the next match, including Baraja and Curro Torres from Valencia, Aguilera (Atlético), Soldevilla (Espanyol) and Ballesteros (Villarreal). Oh, and the disciplinary committee decided at last that Barcelona's Nou Camp will be closed for two games following the crowd trouble against Real Madrid. Barça are expected to appeal though, so the ban may well be postponed pending further investigation. (11.12.02)