Esquinas Torres does not normally feature on these pages, at least in recent months, but this weekend he hit the headlines for his performance in the match between Betis and Real Sociedad. The veteran referee awarded two very dubious penalties against the home side (both of which were saved as it happens), and sent off Betis midfielder Benjamín five minutes from the end for a protest which ended with the player pushing the official. The game was halted for a few minutes as plastic bottles and other objects rained down on the pitch, a fact which could cost the club a healthy fine at least.

Sevilla wasn't the only place that bottles were thrown though, and there were worse scenes at second division Rayo Vallecano after Rodado Rodríguez sent off three players and awarded a last minute free kick to Almería which cost the local side a much needed victory. Riot police were called in, and the referee had to be taken away from the ground in a police van over an hour after the game ended as angry fans waited for him outside. (26.04.04)