Referees decisions are
important at this point of the season, and if Deportivo and Hércules do
go down, they could point to this round of games as the turning point. Depor in
particular were upset at Estrada Fernández after he awarded two
penalties to their opponents Sporting Gijón, the last a dubious decision
in the third minute of injury time which cost the Galicians two points. The
first penalty was totally wrong though, Estrada booking Laure for what he
considered to be hands in the area when the ball actually hit him on the back!
The disciplinary committee overturned the caution, but the referee's
performance upset the usually mild-mannered Lotina so much that he got himself
sent off for his protests. Hércules too were unhappy that Pérez
Lasa disallowed what would have been an equaliser by Abraham Paz against
Racing, and then sent off Valdez for something he didn't do (see "Villains"
section). Hércules lost the match and are now very close to being
relegated. (10.05.11) |