Six sendings off this weekend, including one for Espanyol's Ito for threatening behaviour against an opponent while still on the bench, and one for Athletic Bilbao's Amorebieta for a foul on Recreativo's Uche.

Most of the fun and games though came in the last match on Sunday between Real Madrid and Sevilla, referee Pérez Burrull producing four red cards. Luis Fabiano was shown the first whilst still on the touchline warming up to come on, the fourth referee reporting him for insults. Robinho followed soon afterwards for the brain-dead action of taking off his shirt to celebrate his goal, his sudden realization that it would earn him a second booking coming too late to stop the referee from sending him off. Aitor Ocio was next after catching Diarra with his forearm in the usual penalty area jostle pending a corner, and Sevilla doctor Muñoz Macho completed the cull for continuous protests.

Luis Fabiano's action in particular upset Juande Ramos, as he could pick up a big ban for repeat offending, and with Chevantón picking up his fifth booking at the weekend and Kanouté nursing an injury, the coach will only have Kerzhakov up front next weekend. Luis Fabiano's sparring partner in that infamous incident, Zaragoza's Diogo, will also be missing next weekend after he became the first player to reach the 15 yellow card mark, and he already looks an odds on favourite for this season's "Villains" award.

Six other players will also be suspended for one match after completing the next cycle of five yellow cards, including David Beckham, who was let off his tenth last week, but who picked up another booking in the match against Sevilla. With a home game coming up against an Espanyol side who have one eye on their UEFA Cup final, Real Madrid are not expected to appeal. Elsewhere Urzaiz (Athletic), Duscher (Deportivo), Garrido and Mikel González (Real Sociedad) and Curro Torres (Valencia) were all shown their fifth yellow cards and will be taking seats in the stands next week. (08.05.07)

PS Luis Fabiano only got a one match suspension, and as bans for straight reds have to be served out in the next domestic match irrespective of the competition, he will miss the cup semi-final and be available for Sunday's league fixture.