If this was American basketball, a referee in their second year would probably be called a"sophomore". González Vázquez obviously took this as his motto this year, "and so for more cards...." and produced the performance of the weekend. It was a bit one-eyed though, with three red cards all for Atlético Madrid players and two penalties given in favour of their opponents Málaga, the first of which at least was dubious. Like the good professional he is, Luis Aragonés didn't complain about the referee, only that his players couldn't keep their mouths shut.

Penalties all over the place again, and one would think that referees had received instructions from FIFA that breaking wind in the penalty area was a yellow card offence (as it should be). Rodríguez Santiago awarded three spot kicks as well as dishing out eleven yellow cards, eight of which were for Celta players. We suppose it all livens up the play, although it does encourage the game's divers (see villains section) who will always take advantage if they think the referee is going to be hoodwinked by their antics. (08.10.02)