Only five games since our last report, but what an end to the season! No less than nine sendings off and 44 yellow cards, an average of over ten bookings per match. Atlético Madrid's Amaya was the first to go with a direct red card for a foul on Zaragoza's Yordi early in the first leg match. It was a double blow for Atlético, as Acuña scored from the resulting free kick. Then a battle royal in Vigo, with a record number of sixteen yellow cards and two reds, with Celta's Velasco and Cáceres both getting themselves sent off against Barcelona. And even then the referee didn't spot a punch by Juanfran on Rivaldo late in the game. That went up to the disciplinary committee, but video evidence was inconclusive and no further action was taken. Zaragoza's Paco was sent off rather rigorously early in the second leg tie with Atlético and that let their opponents back in the match. However Correa got a second bookable offence for diving near the end to level up at ten-a-side, and physical trainer Carlos Cascallana picked up a red card for protesting rather too vehementally to the referee. Then came the return leg between Barcelona and Celta, with the visitors fielding a weakened defence without their suspended players. This time it was not a very dirty match, but Jesuli and Gabri both got themselves sent off. Celta and Zaragoza appealed the one match bans given to Jesuli and Paco for the final, but only Zaragoza were successful, the international defender lining up in Sevilla with his team. Less incidents in that game, but even then Zaragoza's Pablo got a second booking in the last minute and had to leave the field. None of the offenders were near the top of the table though, and although Celta en masse moved up the chart, Téllez takes the Villain's title for the second year in a row. No wonder the Spanish international is being courted by several top teams this summer. (01.07.01)