Referees were under the spotlight after last week's last minute penalty decision in the match between Real Madrid and Valencia, and most sporting newspapers carried special reports on their performances. And once again there was controversy involving Real Madrid, with Muñiz Fernández missing a clear penalty when Michel Salgado diverted the ball with his hands in the area, and then awarding dubious penalties at both ends with only half an hour on the clock. Madrid raced away with the game though in the second half, and it was all forgotten.

Virtually every game had a possible penalty decision though, showing just how difficult refereeing can be sometimes. Carmona Méndez for example (who has been chosen to referee next month's cup final) could have given one when Betis defender Mingo unbalanced Ezquerro in his jump, and didn't see anything wrong when visiting keeper Prats came dashing out of his area and crashed into the Bilbao forward, blocking the ball with his hands in the same action. It's all over in a split second, and a wrong decision can turn a match. (24.02.04)