Sevilla’s Franco Vázquez was shown a straight red card at half time in the game at Leganés after calling referee Hernández Hernández a “caradura” (literally a hard-face, but that loses a lot on translation!). It just doesn’t pay to argue with referees in Spain, as Eibar coach Mendilibar also found out when he protested to Del Cerro Grande, asking for a red card for a Betis opponent. All that earned him was one for himself! They will both serve out two match bans, missing the first round of games of the New Year together with eleven players who reached the five yellow card threshold, Rubén Duarte and Wakaso (Alavés), Raúl García and Yeray (Athletic), Granero (Espanyol), Rubén Pérez (Leganés), Rubén Rochina (Levante), Imbula (Rayo), Mercado (Sevilla), and Gayà and Carlos Soler (Valencia). ( 24.12 .18)

PS Alvaro and Jaume Costa will also be suspended at the weekend after they picked up their fifth bookings in Villarreal’s 2-2 draw against Real Madrid today. Franco Vázquez was given a two match ban. (03.01.19)

(* suspension pending disciplinary meeting decision)

Villains Yellow cards Red cards (straight) Games banned Total points
Mario (Villarreal) 9 1 2 12
Yuri (Athletic) 6 1 (1) 3 11
Franco Vázquez (Sevilla) 6 1 (1) 3* 11
Cabral (Celta) 6 2 2 10
Alvaro (Villarreal) 7 1 2* 10
Musto (Huesca) 9 0 1 10
Theo (Real Sociedad) 3 1 (1) 4 9
Juanmi (Real Sociedad) 5 1 3 9
Rubén Duarte (Alavés) 5 1 (1) 2* 9
Rubén Pérez (Leganés) 5 1 (1) 2* 9
Koke (Atlético Madrid) 7 0 1 8
Dani García (Athletic) 7 0 1 8
Jordán (Eibar) 7 0 1 8
Djené (Getafe) 7 0 1 8
Chimy Ävila (Huesca) 7 0 1 8
Jonathan Silva (Leganés) 7 0 1 8
Nyom (Leganés) 7 0 1 8
Campaña (Levante) 7 0 1 8
Illarramendi (Real Soc) 7 0 1 8
Rakitic (Barcelona) 5 1 1 7
Arbilla (Eibar) 5 1 1 7
Bruno (Getafe) 5 1 1 7
Trejo (Rayo Vallecano) 5 1 1 7
Iñigo Martínez (Athletic) 6 0 1 7
Diop (Eibar) 6 0 1 7