A record twelve red cards this weekend, although curiously eight of them were for members of the coaching and technical staff rather than for players. Valladolid's Medilibar, his assistant and his doctor (sounds like the title for a film?) all got shown red cards, and Racing's Muñiz and his assistant were also both sent up in to the stands. Numancia's new manager Pacheta was sent off on his debut as well, and elsewhere the Recreativo doctor and the Sevilla utility man were also red-carded. Must be the change in the weather or something?

Four red cards for outfield players, with Barcelona's Keita the first to go on Saturday for a hard tackle on Espanyol's Moisés , and the following day Almería's Crusat was red-carded for a tackle on a Recreativo player. Both happened in the first halves of the respective games, more for intention rather than any real contact. Racing's Garay was also sent off after the break in the match at Mallorca, and David Villa had to go for a second bookable offence in the last match of the weekend at Deportivo.

They will be sitting out next weekend's games, as will another twelve players who completed the five yellow card cycle. Deportivo's Lopo picked up his tenth booking of the season, and there were fifth cautions for Soriano (Almería), Yeste (Athletic), Pernía (Atlético), Piqué (Barcelona), Contra, Granero and Mario (all Getafe), Corrales (Mallorca), Zigic (Racing), and Alexis and Miguel (both Valencia). (24.02.09)