| Maybe
it was the record pay deal that we reported last week, or perhaps because they
had to rush to the games from their day jobs which didn't allow them time to
work themselves up, but referees in this midweek round of games were extremely
lenient. The total number of cards shown was only two thirds of other weeks, a
total of 45 yellows and only two reds, both for second bookable offences. The
only questionable actions were doubts over penalties, especially with Prados
García in the Bacelona vs Numancia match and with Undiano Mallenco in
the Bilbao vs Zaragoza game. The week's white stick goes to Turienzo Alvarez,
who upset Rayo's manager Juande Ramos over a penalty decision, and produced no
less than eleven yellows and a red, a bit over the top for a game that was not
excessively violent. His performance though was overshadowed by second division
referee Eleicegui Uranga in the Madrid derby between Leganés and Getafe.
He awarded three non-existent penalties, sent off three players and a trainer,
showed a further ten yellow cards, and provoked a riot which ended in a
punch-up on the substitute's bench. One to look out for in the
future! |
