Spain's governing body for sports, the CEDD, finally reached their verdict on the match between Racing and Osasuna this week, some 19 weeks after the disciplinary body deducted one point from the Cantabrian side for fielding one too many non-EU players for a couple of minutes or so in their 1-1 draw (in fact it was probably no coincidence that the ruling came just a few days after the return match between the two sides, complaints from both clubs in the press probably waking someone up to the fact that he had the matter sitting in his in-tray). Racing were trying to get the decision overturned and Osasuna were claiming all three points from the game, but the CEDD decided solomonically to sit squarely on the fence and uphold the earlier ruling. Osasuna (who are just outside the UEFA spots) said they would take the matter to the open courts, something which FIFA totally prohibits, and would ask for a suspension order to be put on the final league rankings until the matter is resolved.

Elsewhere Mallorca's Correa is in big trouble after failing a drugs test whilst playing for Uruguay in a recent international match. The player admitted that he had taken cocaine, and if this is confirmed he could be given a ban for anything between 12 and 18 months.

Four red cards at the weekend, one for Atlético's Novo half an hour in to their game at Racing for a second bookable offence, and three for Valladolid players in their match against Real Sociedad. Peña was the first to after picking up a straight red for a tackle from behind on the half hour mark, and he was followed by Chema ten minutes from the end after the midfielder insulted the referee. Five minutes later Ricchetti picked up a second booking, and was overheard by the fourth official as he was walking off saying "how much have they paid this hijo de p***, what a referee!". The comments were included in the referee's report, and as a result he was given a two match ban which means he misses the rest of the season.

Valladolid will actually be without four players for their next match (subject to appeal) as Sousa was also given his tenth booking of the season. He is one of 14 players who were suspended for accumulation of yellow cards, the others being Daniel Alves (Sevilla) with 15 bookings, Juanfran (Celta) and Bodipo (Racing) with 10 bookings, and Buades, Oscar and Alvaro (Albacete), Ibagaza (Atlético), Gabri (Barcelona), Moha (Osasuna), Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo (Real Madrid), David (Sevilla) and Benayoun (Racing) with 5 bookings. Benayoun was actually let off a caution last week on appeal, but got booked again on Sunday, (11.05.04)