"What's this", we thought, "has our David finally mastered the language and let off a string off witty Spanish insults?" Excitedly we turned to the RFEF website to read the referee's report, but to our disappointment Becks had been shown the red card three minutes before the end of the game against Valencia for "ironically applauding after being shown a yellow card". After Rooney had been sent off for England and Oliveira for Betis for doing the same thing, you would have thought he would know better, but when the red mist descends.....

Beckham was the second Real Madrid player to be sent off, following Gravesen down the tunnel only a few minutes after the ex Everton midfielder was shown a straight red for chopping down Vicente. Up to that point it had been a quiet weekend, with the only other red card coming when Espanyol's Pochettino picked up a second booking shortly before half time against Celta. Earlier in the week first division players from the eleven sides competing in the Copa del Rey had avoided red cards completely, even though referees did send off six players from lower division teams. (25.10.05)

PS The disciplinary committee let off David Beckham, and he will therefore be able to play against Deportivo on Wednesday.