So we're off and running, and our men in black are back in action after their brief rest. Most appeared to be in a good mood though, with discrete performances in the Spanish Supercup and only 54 yellows and two reds in the league at the weekend (quite low compared to other seasons). Muñiz Fernández started like he means to go on though, and first reports said he had shown no less than 14 yellow cards and two reds in the game between Málaga and Villarreal. When his scorecard was finally totted up there were only 10 yellows and two reds, but it takes him to the top of the table for now.

There will be three new faces this year, with López Nieto and Fernández Marín hanging up their whistles and Pérez Pérez being downgraded to the second division. Tristante Oliva was the first of the rookies to start (the other two are Lizondo Cortés and Teixeira Vitienes), and he didn't do too badly. We will of course be paying special attention to their actions, hoping they will live up to the high standards (stop smiling at the back!) we have come to expect from Spanish referees. (01.09.03)