Four red cards this weekend as referees got their underwear in a bit of a twist. David Villa was the first to go, getting himself sent off at the end of a controversial match against Getafe. The Valencia striker had just had a goal disallowed and then seen his opponents score the winner, so he was justifiably miffed. In contrary to the referee's report though he didn't punch a rival in the head, although he was involved in a bit of a brawl as tempers flared in the final minutes. The disciplinary committee did agree that it wasn't as bad as the ref pointed out, but they still banned him for one game. Zaragoza's Toledo also got his marching orders for a second booking later on Saturday evening after the referee ruled that he had committed a penalty on Barcelona's Van Bommel. Television pictures showed that is was not so clear though, and Zaragoza are expected to appeal the second yellow card.

Mallorca's Ballesteros is getting a reputation as a bit of a hard man, and he got his second red card of the season after being shown a second yellow for an off-the-ball incident with Real Madrid's David Beckham. He was let off a ban last time though after the appeal committee cancelled his second yellow card against Barcelona, and Mallorca will be hoping that the good men of the committee will once again agree with their opinion that Becks had picked up some bad habits in Spain and was play acting. The fourth red card of the weekend went to Athletic Bilbao's Casas, who was sent off just before half time for a foul near to goal against Villarreal. Athletic were leading at the time, but with a man short they ended up losing 3-1. (04.10.05)