Four red cards in the first weekend of 2005, one for Numancia's physical trainer for insulting the referee and the other three coming in the match between Racing Santander and Málaga. Visiting defender Alexis was the first to go, picking up a second booking in the last minute of normal time, but things really blew up two minutes later as a Racing player tried to hold on to the ball to waste time. Fists started to fly, and suddenly almost all of the 22 players were involved in a brawl. There were many culprits, but referee Pino Zamorano singled out Nafti and Miguel Angel, both of whom were shown the red card. Thankfully the game ended soon afterwards, but not before Málaga had a penalty claim turned down, almost provoking another dust up.

The yellow cards are starting to pile up though, and this weekend eight more players reached the five booking threshold which means they sit it out next weekend. Famous names include Pablo (Atlético), Deco (Barcelona), Assunçao (Betis) and Milito (Zaragoza), as well as Gaspar (Albacete), Luis Prieto (Athletic), Gabi (Getafe) and Nacho (Levante). Elsewhere the CEDD put the red cards shown in the last match to Espanyol's Tamudo and Serrano on hold pending further investigation, which meant that both could play in the game against Osasuna. (10.01.05)