Three red cards again this weekend, two of which came at the end of the game between Osasuna and Málaga. Salva (who had been baited throughout the match by the home fans) was the first to go after picking up two bookings in the same play, the first for diving in the area and the second after a tussle with Cruchaga. Málaga's assistant coach Juan Carlos Añon was also sent off after asking the officials to "handcuff me" and then insulting all around him as he was leaving the field, making it seven reds in the last four games for the doomed South coast side. Tempers are running a bit thin down there at the moment!

Espanyol's Edu Costa was the other player to be sent for an early bath on Sunday after picking up two bookings against Valencia, It was back to Earth for the "Periquitos" after their midweek cup victory against Zaragoza, who themselves had goalkeeper César sent off in that match after being shown a second yellow card for throwing a plastic bottle back in to the crowd. Gabi Milito picked up his fifth booking of the competition in the final as well, and for the second year running he will miss Zaragoza's first cup match next season.

Eight players are also facing a one match ban next weekend after completing the cycle of yellow cards, including Munitis (Deportivo), Vitolo (Racing) and Quique Alvarez (Villarreal), all of whom were given their tenth cautions, and Oscar López and Xisco (Betis), Sergio (Deportivo), Moisés (Espanyol) and Alexis (Málaga), who received their fifth. (17.04.06)