Only a couple of red cards this week as things settled back down. Deportivo's Coloccini was the first to go for a high tackle of Espanyol's Jofre in their cup semi-final, although the forwards exaggerated reaction probably contributed to the red being produced rather than the yellow. And Real Sociedad's new signing Viáfara was the only player to be sent off in the league at the weekend, again the reaction of his opponent Gabi probably helping the referee make up his mind.

Not even a booking though for Athletic Bilbao's Urzaiz, whose deliberate kick at the back of Pablo García's knee left the Real Madrid midfielder with a ligament problem which will keep him out for up to two months. García's reputation has gone before him though, and referee Ramírez Domínguez told him to take it easy and not exact revenge on the Bilbao striker, thinking the injury was not serious and that he was going straight back on the pitch. "But ref, he's done me good and proper!" was the plaintive reply (or some such Spanish equivalent)!

Nine players will be sitting out next weekend's games though as well as Viáfara, including Racing's Oriol who became the third player to complete the ten yellow card after Albelda and Alvaro. Others include such famous names as Márquez (Barcelona), Gravesen (Real Madrid), Angulo (Valencia), De la Peña (Espanyol), Perea (Atlético), Celades (Zaragoza), Dragutinovic (Sevilla) and David Cortés (Mallorca). (14.02.06)