Except for Racing coach Miguel Angel Portugal (who was sent off for the second time in four games for protesting), there were no red cards until the last two games of the weekend. Sevilla's Romaric was given his marching orders though for pulling down Iturraspe in the second half of the match against Athletic Bilbao. And a couple of hours later there were three red cards in the clash between Atlético Madrid and Valencia, with Marchena the first to go after giving away a penalty for handling in the area on the half hour mark. Miguel followed with a straight red for a foul on Valera after the restart, and visiting assistant coach Carcedo was also sent to the stands for complaining.

Earlier in the game Marchena picked up his fifth booking of the season, and he will therefore have to serve out a two match ban. And Valencia will be further depleted next weekend after Banega was shown his tenth yellow card and keeper César his fifth. Tenerife's Luna will also be on the sidelines after he too was shown his tenth yellow, and a further eight players will also be out after completing the five card cycle, including Antonio López (Atlético), Piqué (Barcelona), Rafa and Casquero (Getafe), Ayoze (Mallorca), Xisco (Racing), Bermejo (Xerez) and Pulido (Zaragoza). (02.03.10)