Refereeing decisions can seriously influence the outcome of the league, especially as the season comes to a close, and nowhere was it more true this weekend than in Soria, where Pérez Lasa awarded a late penalty to hosts Numancia against Recreativo. Iago Bouzón's tackle on Gorka Brit was clearly outside of the area, but the striker fell cleverly and Pérez swallowed it hook, line and sinker. The ensuing protests cost Recre's Lamas a red card and two match ban, and Aitor will also be suspended next weekend after picking up one of eleven bookings (as will Numancia's Cisma). (19.05.09)

PS It's not all cirticism on our part though, and our best wishes go to Medina Cantalejo, who retires at the end of the season after a long career. Medina put in another competent performance in this season's cup final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, and was also rewarded with the job of referee of next week's UEFA Cup final between Shakhtar Donetsk and Werder Bremen.