With only the cup final to go, it looks as if Romero is going to take the villains prize just ahead of Varela. Both have 24 points, but the Uruguayan midfielder has missed more games. They could still be overtaken though if one of the trio of Mallorca players, Lozano, Poli and Eto'o, could get themselves sent off in the match against Recreativo. Watch this space for news.

A remarkably quiet last round of league games, with only 27 yellow cards and three reds. Two of the sendings off came in one incident in the match between Barcelona and Celta, Angel getting his marching orders for elbowing De Boer and Kluivert following him for hitting the visiting defender on the head in the ensuing fight which involved several players from both sides. Kluivert came out worse though in the subsequent disciplinary hearing, picking up a four match ban which he will have to serve out at the beginning of next season.

The other player to see red at the weekend was Osasuna's Muñoz, who picked up a second booking near the end of his side's game against Racing. He too will miss the first match of next season, as will the following four players who reached the next five card cycle of yellow cards, Hierro (Real Madrid), Luis Fernández (Betis) and De Quintana (Rayo) all with ten yellows, and David García (Espanyol) with five. (25.06.03)

P.S. No change in the cup, with only Lozano and Loren getting bookings amongst our top villains. "Gato" Romero is therefore our top villain this season.