Looks like the heavy league programme is not only taking it out of the players! Referees just didn't seem to be themselves this weekend, only producing 45 yellows and four reds compared to the midweek tally of 82-6, or last two weekends' hauls of 70-3 and 65-9. Most of the problems came on Saturday night, with mythical linesman Rafa Guerrero popping up again to rule out a goal by Barcelona's Eto'o against Málaga for only he knows what reason. Teixeira Vitienes upset the Villarreal players turning down one of the most obvious penalties of the season in the last seconds of their game against Betis, and Pérez Lima wasn't going to give a penalty either no matter what happened in the Basque derby between Athletic and Osasuna. His namesake Pérez Lasa did give one to Cádiz on Sunday though even though the foul appeared to be outside of the area, but maybe it's about time that the Andalusians had a bit of luck after a few bad decisions against them.

The real problems are off the field of play though, and there is a serious possibility that referees could be on strike next weekend in protest at not being paid their wages for the last couple of months. It all boils down to a long standing fight between the LFP and the RFEF, each accusing the other of wrong doing. The league say that they have paid the money over to the federation for them to pay the referees, but the federation apparently have applied the money received to older debts which they say are outstanding between the two. Whatever the case, the referees are stuck in the middle, and if they don't get paid then this weekend's matches (which include the Barcelona v Real Madrid "derby") will not take place. (28.03.06)