Iturralde González just missed out by a whisker on our White Stick award last season, but he got a head start on the rest this year, sending off the two "Vans" in the Super Cup second leg between Real Madrid and Valencia. Nothing special to note on the opening day of the league though, with Ayza Gámez the early leader after showing eight yellow cards in the game between Espanyol and Valladolid.

Our lot are "angelitos" however compared to some referees around the world. Señor Liber Prudente of the Uruguayan league awarded a recent game to visitors Villa Española without a ball being kicked after the home side Nacional de Montevideo came on to the pitch a minute late! Imagine if that happened for example at the Nou Camp with Real Madrid the opponents, or in a match between Sevilla and Betis. It could start a civil war! (01.09.08)