Quite a bit of news about referees this weekend, starting with Medina Cantalejo who was in charge of the big match between Barcelona and Real Madrid and who hit the headlines after awarding a dubious penalty to the Catalans and then sending off Roberto Carlos for an insult a few minutes later. Medina (who has been named as a reserve for the World Cup - Mejuto González is first choice) was criticised by the Madrid players and staff, not only for the two incidents but also for not clamping down on some heavy tackles by the home side. And one of his linesmen also got some stick in the press after insulting the Madrid substitutes and telling them to shut up, upsetting the delicate nature in particular of the genteel Pablo García!

Medina was not the only one to be criticised though. Pérez Lima incurred the wrath of Málaga after leaving them with nine men, and Lizondo Cortés had to have a police escort off the pitch after awarding a more than dubious penalty after Iriney tripped himself up in front of goal (Perea's yellow card for the "so called" foul was cancelled by the disciplinary committee) and then ordering a re-take for encroachment after Baiano's first kick was saved by Leo Franco. And even the usually reliable Iturralde González was in the wars after waving away a Betis penalty claim in their derby game against Sevilla and then giving them one which was much less obvious, and then turning down one at the other end in the last minute after Saviola was brought down by Oscar López. The referee apologised to Saviola afterwards, saying he didn't see the incident. (04.04.06)