Pérez Lima and Medina Cantalejo managed to decimate the ranks of Betis, Espanyol and Atlético this weekend (see villains section), but it was Pérez Lima who got the most stick after his performance in the game between Espanyol and Betis. The referee upset both sides with his decisions, starting with the locals after sending off Pandiani and then disallowing a late goal by Tamudo. But then he incurred the wrath of the visitors after awarding a dubious penalty in the last minute to the home side (which some of their own players even said was never a foul), producing three red cards in the ensuing protests and reporting a player and a member of the technical staff for insults as they left the pitch.

The red card for Miguel Angel was overturned by the disciplinary committee, the fifth time this season they have over-ruled one of his decisions, and Betis will be trying to get some of the others cancelled as well with appeals higher up. The subject of refereeing is red hot at the moment though, and the referees committee are themselves insisting that measures be taken against clubs who question their integrity. (24.04.07)