Aitor Ocio shoots to the top of our chart this week after getting himself sent off for the third time this season. The Athletic defender picked up two bookings in succession near the end of the game at Zaragoza, the first for a heavy tackle and the second for protesting when the referee booked him! Two sent off in the match between Recreativo and Sevilla, visiting defender Mosquera for a second bookable offence late in the first half, and Recre substitute Ersen Martin for a late tackle on Poulsen with ten minutes to go. Not a good start for the Turkish striker, who was making his debut after missing the first half of the season due to legal disputes and injuries.

Recreativo's doctor, Quesada de la Gala (what a great name - sounds like a dish in a Mexican restaurant!), was also sent off for insulting the referee in that match, the second red card he has been shown this season. That earned him a two match ban, hardly the calming influence one expects from a medical man! And a red as well for Betis coach Paco Chaparro, who referee Francisco Javier Ontanaya López-Astilleros (deep breath) reported for making a rude gesture. Chaparro denied the charge but still got a one match suspension.

All the above will be joined on the sidelines next weekend by nine players who picked up their fifth bookings of the season, including Koikili and Susaeta (athletic), Melli (Betis), Angel Martínez (Espanyol), Pablo Hernández (Getafe), Juanma (Levante), Héctor (Mallorca), Sneijder (Real Madrid) and Daniel Alves (Sevilla).

Three red cards as well in the midweek cup matches, including one for Athletic's non playing substitute Etxeberría for insulting the referee at the end of the tie with Racing. Getafe's Granero lost his marbles after scoring the vital away goal against Mallorca, a reckless tackle a couple of minutes later sending him for an early bath, and Villarreal's Cygan couldn't handle Barcelona's Messi, two yellow cards in the first half for fouls on the little man leaving his side with ten men. (05.02.08)

PS Alves was let off his fifth booking by the disciplinary committee, and will therefore be available for the match against Barcelona on Saturday.