Last year’s White Stick award winner Velasco Carballo finished last season by officiating at the cup final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, and he began this one with the repeat game in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup, same venue, same teams. Velasco produced two red cards this time around, the first for Piqué, reportedly for insulting a linesman. Piqué had already had a run in with Velasco a couple of years ago though, and the referee seemed to be reaching for his card even before the defender opened his mouth? Barça will therefore appeal, but as things stand Piqué will have to serve out a four match ban. With seven yellows as well as the sendings off Velasco begins in second spot in our table, just behind González González, who dished out ten bookings in the first leg.

So to the opening weekend of the league, and nothing too controversial to write home about. Ronaldo believed that Estrada Fernández should have given him a penalty (nothing new there), and at the other end Sporting felt that Sanabria’s header had come down over the line (which it didn’t), and Levante’s new signing Deyverson was puzzled why rookie referee De Burgos Bengoetxea ruled out his headed goal midway through the first half. Six red cards already though, and it’s going to be a long season! (26.08.15)

Name Games played Yellow cards Red cards Total
González González 1 10 0 10
Velasco Carballo 1 7 2 9
Alvarez Izquierdo 1 8 1 9
Gil Manzano 1 7 1 8
Iglesias Villanueva 1 7 1 8
Bikando Garrido 1 4 2 6
Del Cerro Grande 1 6 0 6
De Burgos Bengoetxea 1 4 1 5
Mateu Lahoz 1 5 0 5
Estrada Fernández 1 4 0 4