Referees were in a jovial mood this week, with the prospect of a two week break for the festive season just around the corner. Still there was time for a few controversial moments, such as the unprecedented decision by Carmona Méndez in the midweek cup match between Real Madrid and Gimnastic Tarragona to start the second half when Nàstic only had ten men on the field. To add insult to injury he booked Cuéllar when he came on late after having his ankle bandaged up despite having been advised earlier that treatment was going on. One wonders if he would have done the same if for example Zidane was the player missing. On Sunday Pérez Burrull decided the tie between Rayo Vallecano and Alavés could not take place due to a heavy snowfall. In fact the pitch was not so bad underneath, but Rayo had only provided two workers to clear the snow off, and as a result most of the ground was still covered in snow when the inspection took place. Both teams are now trying to find a suitable date, but Rayo could be facing a fine for not providing sufficient resources to get the pitch ready in time.

On the field of play Ramírez Dominguez upset both teams, and especially Bilbao when he waved away an obvious penalty by Osasuna's Contreras on Tiko, and Málaga manager Joaquín Peiró had harsh words for Daudén Ibáñez, who also ignored a penalty "as big as a cathedral" and left his side with ten men with a quarter of the game to go. Ansuategui Roca is usually one of the quieter referees, but he races up our chart this week after showing six yellows in the cup tie between Rayo and Ciudad de Murcia and then three days later producing eleven yellows and a red in the game between two of the league's hardest teams, Sevilla and Celta. Other than that though a quiet week, and now it's off home for a couple of weeks rest and relaxation with their families before everything starts again on the weekend of "Reyes", the three kings' festival when Spanish parents traditionally give presents to their children. Let's hope the referees are feeling generous. (24.12.01)