There
is something about television that brings out the best in referees. The two
candidates for our white stick award this week come from the two matches which
were broadcast to the masses at the weekend, with both of the Men In Black
reaching double figures on the card stakes. Iturralde came up with ten yellows
in a rather stiff performance that was reminiscent of the silent movies,
brandishing cards around in a type of mock military salute. But he was just
upstaged by our man of the year Daudén Ibáñez, who picks
up his third award in only six games as he left even Bueno Grimal behind at the
top of our chart. And it was not just for the nine yellows and two sendings off
(see villains section for details). He took a leaf out of Bueno's book (see
week 10 report), awarding a penalty and then reversing his decision. As fate
would have it, the same team was involved, Villarreal, although this time the
decision went against them after Craioveanu fell in the penalty area. Out came
the yellow card for Olaizola as the ref pointed to the spot, but he had to back
off when linesman Martín Nieto pointed out that the defender was a good
yard away from the striker when he fell, much to the disgust of the visiting
players, and particularly Galván, who was sent off for his remarks to
the official. Olaizola's yellow was rubbed out in Daudén's book and
Craioveanu's name was etched in.
It was trial time for referees this week, with all
officials having to pass physical tests before being allowed to continue on in
their labours. Prados García threw up his breakfast on one of the tests
and quit, and he will have to resit (or rerun) before he can referee again, and
Llonch Andreu struggled to make the grade on the Cooper distance running test.
It certainly took the wind out of his sails. Last year's top card waver
couldn't produce even one yellow this weekend in the match between Valladolid
and Real Sociedad! Total cards this week, 50 yellows, 2 reds.
(27.11.00) |
