What a week we've had! Things began in the cup semi-finals midweek when Mateu Lahoz awarded a penalty to Atlético against Racing even though Toni Moral's trip on Jurado was a yard and a half outside of the area. There was talk of putting Mateu "in the fridge" for three weeks or so, but in the end he was allowed to officiate the weekend league game between Málaga and Deportivo, where he sent off Depor's Pablo Alvarez for two dubious yellow cards (hands at point blank range and a "dive in the area") decisions which also cost visiting coach Lotina a red card for protesting. And to add to that Muñiz Fernández, Teixeira Vitienes and Ayza Gámez produced three red cards each to devastate the ranks of the top flight this weekend!

The ongoing debate over the last few weeks though has been whether Barcelona have been receiving "a helping hand" by referees, under orders presumably from "a black shadow at the Federation". The Madrid press in particular have selectively pointed out incidents, including the fact that Ibrahimovic was offside (positionally?) when Messi scored against Getafe this weekend, but Barça replied that Teixeira Vitienes did send off two of their players and give their opponents a penalty, so he wasn't totally on their side! Most sensible people dismiss the accusations totally, but knowing the Spanish papers the arguments will rage on! (09.02.10)