Players with the worst disciplinary records in Spanish league and cup matches
(* suspension pending disciplinary meeting decision).

No surprises in our villains section this season, Albert Lopo's record haul of 30 points leaving all others trailing in his wake. The Espanyol defender picked up on average one yellow card every two games, and his tally of four sendings off was only matched by Berizzo.

Another six red cards this weekend, with José Marí making a late dash for a place on the podium after getting himself sent off for striking Valladolid's Zapata, and Espanyol's Raducanu also got his marching orders for a second bookable offence late in the game against Murcia.

The real drama though came in the match between Sevillla and Osasuna, which at times seemed more like a scene out of Gladiators than a game of football. There had been bad feelings between the two since last year's cup tie, and things started to get nasty around the half hour mark when Javi Navarro scratched Webó when he was down on the ground. Navarro got away with it, but that started off a mini-riot in which Osasuna's substitute Alfredo was shown the red card for fighting with one of Sevilla's technical staff on the touchline. Managers Caparrós and Aguirre were both lucky to be let off with bookings after they grappled angrily with each other in front of the amazed television cameras at the same time, and it was several minutes before things calmed down. The trouble was sparked off again later in the game though, and Bakayoko, Morales and Alfaro were all sent for an early bath for throwing punches in a mad brawl. The matter will now go before the disciplinary committee, and it remains to be seen what conclusions they reach.

What is fairly clear though is that all the players sent off will miss the first match of the season, and they will be joined by five more who completed the five card cycle of yellow cards, including two more players from Osasuna, Aloisi and Valdo. Espanyol's Morales and Real Sociedad's Potillón also picked up their fifth bookings of the season, and Villarreal's Arruabarrena was given his tenth. (25.05.04)

PS. The disciplinary committee threw the book at the Osasuna and Sevilla players, banning Alfredo, Morales, Bakayoko and Sevilla assistant coach Salvador Torres for four matches Pablo Alfaro for two, and Aloisi, Valdo and coach Javier Aguirre for one game for accumulation of yellow cards. Alfaro said it was the first time he had been banned for being punched in the face and will appeal. Villarreal's José Marí was also given a two match ban after his sending off. (26.05.04)