Who would be a referee in Spain? Experienced World Cup ref Medina Cantalejo was chosen to officiate in the local derby between Espanyol and Barcelona, but even he wasn't prepared for what happened. There were early protests from Barça after a penalty appeal for hands was turned down, and then Luis García appeared to elbow Víctor Valdés in the ribs as he went up for a high ball, knocking the keeper in to the net as Coro drilled the ball back for the opening goal. Valdés was booked for protesting and the goal was allowed to stand. Just before the break though it was the locals' turn to moan after Nené was sent off after picking up a second booking for a foul on Sergio Busquets.

But worse was to come after the restart when a bunch of hooligans in Barcelona colours fired flares in to the opposing crowd. The game was held up for ten minutes as supporters spilled on to the ground, but as soon as things calmed down the visitors equalised. Tempers were raised after that, but in the dying seconds Eto'o fell under a challenge from Pareja and Medina awarded a penalty which Messi converted to win the match. A touch and go decision, and after endless slow motion action replays some members of the media called it one way and some another.

That didn't stop everyone criticising the referee though, with the Espanyol president claiming daylight robberry and demanding a replay, the Barça president washing his hands of the whole thing and blaming his hosts for letting in unsearched a group of delinquents who are banned from the Nou Camp, and everyone blaming the local police for not acting (although they did subsequently arrest five of the offenders). Oh well, only another 33 games to go..... (30.09.08)

PS. Just to make matters worse, one of Nené's yellow cards was cancelled on appeal. The disciplinary body decided to refer the stoppage incident to the anti-violence commission before making a decision on who is to blame. (01.10.08)