Five red cards in the midweek cup matches, including one each for Valencia’s Rodrigo (his second of the season) and Granada’s Javi Márquez for hard tackles on opponents late on in their respective ties against Rayo and Córdoba. Celta coach Berizzo was also sent off for protesting in the first half of the game against Las Palmas, and he could pick up a longer ban after the referee reported that he was still in the players’ tunnel after the break. Visiting defender Aythami Artiles was also given his marching orders for a second bookable offence in that match, and Valladolid’s Timor was shown a red card after the final whistle of the game at Elche for insulting the referee.

Only two red cards in the last round of matches of the year, Espanyol’s Stuani picking up a second booking late on in the fixture at Rayo on Saturday, and Villarreal substitute Tomás Piña only lasting four minutes before he was sent for an early bath for a bad tackle on Deportivo’s Bergantiños! Coaches permitting (probably not!), they will have a few more days’ holiday before starting the new year programme (Piña has been banned for 2 games), and they will be joined on the sidelines for week 17 together with 13 more players who reached the five yellow card mark, Dubarbier (Almería), Aduríz and Muniain (Athletic), Augusto Fernández and Nolito (Celta), Sidnei (Deportivo), Albentosa and Arruabarrena (Eibar), Lucas Vázquez (Espanyol), Iturra (Granada), David Navarro (Levante) and Javi Fuego (Valencia). (24.12.14)

PS. Celta’s Larrivey was given a four match ban after referee Gil Manzano reported that he had been called “a thief” by the striker after the match at Almería ended. Celta appealed after Augusto Fernández admitted that it was he who had made the comment, but the disciplinary committee ignored the appeal and upheld the ban. The Celta delegated Sr. Onaindia was also suspended for 15 days after he too insulted the referee, and coach Berizzo was banned for 3 matches for his behaviour in the cup (see above). Elsewhere Rodrigo (cup) and Pina (league) were suspended for two matches each after their respective red cards last week. (29.12.14)

(* suspension pending disciplinary meeting decision)

Villains Yellow cards Red cards (straight) Games banned Total points
Alexis (Getafe) 4 1 (1) 4 10
Rodrigo (Valencia) 5 2 (1) 2* 10
Dubarbier (Almería) 7 1 2* 10*
Rodrigues (Elche) 7 1 2 10
Weligton (Málaga) 7 1 2 10
Orellana (Celta) 9 0 1 10
Lillo (Eibar) 9 0 1 10
Siqueira (Atlético) 7 1 1 9
André Gomes (Valencia) 7 1 1 9
Mandzukic (Atlético) 8 0 1 9
Lopo (Deportivo) 8 0 1 9
Fran Rico (Granada) 8 0 1 9
Raúl Baena (Rayo) 8 0 1 9
De Paul (Valencia) 2 1 (1) 4 8
Gabi (Atlético) 6 1 1 8
Fontàs (Celta) 6 1 1 8
Raúl Navas (Eibar) 6 1 1 8
Juan Carlos (Granada) 6 1 1 8
Koke (Atlético) 7 0 1 8
Damian Suárez (Elche) 7 0 1 8
Alvaro (Espanyol) 7 0 1 8
Camacho (Málaga) 7 0 1 8
Abdoulaye (Rayo) 7 0 1 8
Ramos (Real Madrid) 7 0 1 8