You can usually count on the new referees to make their mark during the season, as it takes time for them to settle in at this level. Velasco Carballo was one of the two men newly promoted from the second division, and Numancia must be wishing they had seen the last of him this summer when they themselves made it up to the top flight. It wasn't Velasco's fault entirely that they lost 4-1 at Málaga, but the result could have been a bit better if he had erred more in their favour than against them. Amoroso's goal (the third for the locals) appeared to be well offside, and the referee then turned down a penalty on Palacios and sent off Graff on the stroke of half time with a red card which at best should have been yellow. Velasco did wave away a penalty appeal later on at the other end when Edgar went down, but by then the game was well over. (25.09.04)