They say that the quiet comes before the storm, and after three very quite weeks we were hit by a gale force eight this weekend. We say eight as in all there were eight red cards shown, including two to Málaga players at Espanyol. Keeper Contreras was the first to go before half time after clattering in to Tamudo, and Romero must have thought that he had been asked to take over in goal, at least judging by the way he saved Martín Posse's shot in the last minute. However the referee didn't agree, and the Uruguayan midfielder consequently finds himself sitting at the top of our chart this week.

Two players sent off with straight red cards as well in the game between Alavés and Barcelona, starting with Motta for the visitors, who's hand off into the face of Ibon Begoña might have been acceptable in American football, but not in the European version of the game (soccer to you guys from the US of A). It was the young Brazilian's second red card of the season, and subject to appeal has cost him a two game ban. Later in the match an old favourite of ours appeared, Oscar Téllez. He won this trophy two years running in the past, but being accused of overweight he has not played much recently. However he was on the park here, and like Romero he too stuck out a hand to cut out what could have been a match winning pass from Riquelme to Overmars in the last minute. Welcome back, Oscar.

The other four sendings off were for double bookings, starting with Racing's Nafti who makes it into our top five this week as a result. Valladolid's Mustafá and Rayo's Corino got their marching orders towards the end of their respective matches, and Valencia's Mista also had to go after receiving a second yellow card for taking a free kick before the referee was ready. At first sight it appeared that Mejuto González had given him two cautions in the same incident, possibly for arguing, although it later transpired that he had been booked earlier in the game and that the referee probably forgot at first to give him the red.

Five players will be sitting out next week's matches for accumulation of cards, including three from Athletic Bilbao, Karanka, Alkiza and Urzaiz. They will be joined by Atlético's Emerson and Celta's Juanfran, another old villain. The disciplinary committee also handed out a four match ban to Deportivo's César for his head but on De Nigris last week. Depor didn't appeal this week as the player was injured anyway, but are expected to try and get the ban reduced before next weekend. (19.03.03)