A major outcry in the cup midweek when Ronaldinho was sent off with a straight red for a late tackle on Cani shortly before half time in Barcelona's quarter final tie with Zaragoza. The Barcelona star was already due to miss the weekend's game against Atlético Madrid after picking up his fifth booking in the league, and the red card means he will miss the next game at Valencia as well. Meanwhile the suspended cup match between Valencia and Deportivo carried on behind closed doors, with two of the home side's technical staff being shown red cards for protesting by Megia Dávila, the referee who called off the game a week ago after his linesman was hit by a coin thrown from the crowd.

Five more red cards at the weekend, including Sevilla's David who was given his marching orders by referee Pérez Lasa in injury time of the game against Osasuna for apparently calling the official "a ruin". Fixtures between the two sides have caused fireworks in recent years, but despite thirteen yellow cards this one was fairly tame, and the Andalusians are expected to appeal the sending off as they felt the comment only warranted a caution at most. Villarreal's Peña was only on the park for a few minutes against Cádiz when he picked up two bookings, and there were two yellow cards as well for Zaragoza's Chus Herrero, Betis's Varela and Málaga's Nacho.

Ten more players hit the five yellow card mark as well and (subject to appeal) will face a one match ban next weekend. They include Yeste (Athletic Bilbao), Antonio López (Atlético Madrid), Rivera (Betis), Medina (Cádiz), Salva (Málaga), Josetxo and Romeo (Osasuna), Martí and Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) and Zapater (Zaragoza). (07.02.06)

PS. David's red card was downgraded to a yellow and Medina's fifth booking (see white stick section) was cancelled by the disciplinary committee, and both will therefore be able to play at the weekend.