Eighteen first division teams were in action in the second round of the cup midweek, although there were surprisingly few incidents. Only one first division player was sent off, Zaragoza's Ferrón the unlucky man with a straight red for handling in the area at Salamanca. Five others did get their marching orders though, all from lower division sides.

Five red cards at the weekend as well, two of which were for Osasuna players against Zaragoza. Moha's was clear cut, his diving save from Alvaro's header stopping a certain goal, although justice was done in the end as Villa scored from the resulting spot kick. Cruchaga's second yellow near the end was hotly protested though, and with the fans angry that their team had not been awarded the three points in the last match against Racing (see last week's white stick report), there was a near riot at the ground.

Real Sociedad captain Aranzábal also saw red after his side lost again, first of all the mist variety as he chopped down Valladolid goalscorer Losada and then the card variety from the referee. Real were one of the cleanest sides in the league last season but this year the frustration of being in the relegation zone is getting to them. That was more or less the case at Betis too, where Lembo was sent off for a second booking, and at Racing, where Diego Mateo picked up two yellow cards late in the game.

No less than twelve players will be able to take longer holidays (we don't think) after being given one match bans for accumulation of yellow cards. Atlético's De los Santos is the first player to reach the ten yellow card threshold in the league, and he sits out the next match together with his team mate Gaspar, who has five. Valladolid will be missing four players, with Marcos, Julio César, Sousa and Makukula all picking up their fifth yellow cards at the weekend, and they will be joined by Delporte (Albacete), Andrade (Deportivo), Pablo Casar (Racing), Xabi Alonso (Real Sociedad), Pablo Alfaro (Sevilla) and Quique Alvarez (Villarreal). (23.12.03)