Things returned to normal after a quiet month, with six red cards at the weekend. Two came at Villarreal with less than half an hour on the clock, Celta's Luccin getting a straight red card for swearing in front of the referee after the official failed to award him a foul (he should have done it in French), and then his team mate Mido getting two bookings, the first for protesting too much when Luccin was sent off and the second for a rash tackle a couple of minutes later. Luccin apologized to the referee afterwards, Mido did not. Up to now everyone had been wondering why Ronald Koeman had let such a talent go at Ajax. Now we know.

Elsewhere Betis substitute striker Gastón Casas was not on the pitch long before he managed to pick up a yellow card and then a direct red for an off the ball incident, and Barcelona's Gabri got the wrong idea about time wasting, frustratedly kicking the ball away near the end with his team losing, and getting himself a second yellow card into the bargain. Poor old Magno got himself sent off for a second bookable offence as well, the referee rather cold-heartedly ignoring the fact that the Alavés forward was being carried off on a stretcher at the time, and finally a Real Sociedad medical assistant (who was nameless in the referee's report) was shown a red card for insulting one of the officials.

Suspensions this week for the following: 10 yellow cards - Albelda (Valencia), Poli (Mallorca), Puñal (Osasuna) and Juanma (Racing); 5 yellow cards - Manu (Málaga), and Celta coach Lotina. (20.05.03)