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two men sent off this week, and one of them is one of the last people you would
think of, mild mannered John Carew. The Norwegian striker is adapting well to
the game in Spain, and has started to get vital goals for his team. However he
has apparently picked up other habits as well here, and one of them got him
sent off. With one yellow card to his name already in Valencia's game with
Bilbao, Carew got a late equaliser for his team. Copying Raúl's gesture
in the Nou Camp last season, he then put his finger to his lips to tell the
crowd to shut up, following up by putting a hand to his ear to listen to the
fans' reaction. In Raúl's case it got great press, especially from the
Madrid sports papers who loved the gesture. In Carew's case it earned him a
second yellow card and a sending off from referee Pérez Burrull. Ah
well, that's football in Spain. The second red was for Racing Santander's
unfortunate goalkeeper Lemmens. Playing his first match of the season as his
new manager decided to give him a chance to prove himself, the Belgian brought
down Valladolid's Alberto in the area and got himself red-carded. Ah well,
thats football in Spain. Other than that, no less than nine players are
expected to miss the next match after picking up their fifth yellow card of the
season, including Arzeno who moves joint top of our villains table for now. As
it happens the next round of matches is on 6th January, the three kings day,
when Spaniards traditionally give presents to their children (they're always a
bit late in Spain). Most of the nine are veterans, married with kids. Ah well,
thats football in Spain..... (21.12.00) |
