González
Vázquez got his reward for winning our "White Stick" prize last season,
the referee being awarded one of the two Spanish Supercup finals.
González and his colleague Mejuto both had discrete performances though
in a trophy which was surrounded in controversy for other reasons, Espanyol
claiming that Barcelona should be stripped of the title for fielding Puyol and
Xavi in the first leg, just two days after they had pulled out of Spain's
friendly against Iceland citing injuries. Under FIFA rules anyone dropping out
of national squads cannot play for their clubs in the next five days, but the
Spanish Federation turned down their appeal saying that their doctor had
examined the two players and that they had been released from the squad as a
result. Espanyol are expected to appeal to higher authorities.
La Liga is off to a flying
start though, and no doubts about the refereeing decision which wins our award
this week. The Basque derby was only half an hour or so old when Undiano
Mallenco (to be fair to him, at the insistence of his linesman) blew his
whistle and awarded a penalty to Athletic Bilbao for hands. The Real Sociedad
players were furious, and TV footage soon showed why - the arm which appeared
to touch the ball belonging to Athletic striker Aduriz! To add insult to injury
Aduriz unashamedly converted the spot kick himself, probably the first time
that a player had "won" himself a penalty in that way! Some justice was
restored though when Real equalised late on. (31.08.06) |