Sort of six red cards this weekend, but maybe it was five or even four... We'll explain. After the match between Real Madrid and Espanyol ended, the visiting players surrounded referee Muñiz Fernández to protest about some of his decisions. The referee wasn't in the best of moods and immediately showed a yellow card to team captain Tamudo, his second of the night, and then showed a red to Kameni for calling him names "sinvergúenza" - shameless). All of this happened after the final whistle though, so Tamudo's second booking didn't count as a sending off, and Kameni's red didn't count as a red card as such, if you see what we mean (although we don't ourselves!). However Tamudo already had three yellow cards this season, so with two more he will be suspended anyway. And Kameni didn't get a red, but he did get a one match ban for insulting an official. Hands up anyone who understands!

Elsewhere Melli (Betis) and Pedro López (Valladolid) were both sent off for bringing down attackers as they advanced on goal early in the second halves of their respective matches, and there were red cards for two "tecnicos", Levante coach De Biasi (who's insults were enough to earn him a two match ban), and Barcelona team delegate Carlos Naval, who was sent up into the stands for the second time in four games. A great example for the youngsters under his charge! Another six players will also miss next weekend's games after completing the five yellow card cycle, including Amorebieta (Athletic), Puñal (Osasuna) and Marcos (Valladolid) with ten bookings, and Zambrotta (Barcelona), Miguel Angel (Levante) and Juanfran (Zaragoza) with five. (11.03.08)