| We
mentioned it last week, but referees really are a happier bunch since their pay
was doubled recently. The bad-temperedness has gone, and they are all sweetness
and light (well, with some exceptions anyway). This week only 40 yellow cards
were shown, with three reds including a coach. García-Aranda didn't show
any yellow cards at all, and reluctantly had to produce a direct red to
Iván Ania for stopping the ball going in to the net with his hand. Last
season's leaders Megía Dávila and Llonch Andreu only produced
five yellows between them. This makes our job very difficult, but at least
there was one ray of light this week. Losantos Omar was due to referee the
Celta vs Málaga match, but he injured his back and had to hand over to
the fourth referee Rodríguez Costa, who normally officiates in the
second division B. The problem was that he was from La Coruña, the same
region as Celta Vigo, and although both teams agreed he could take charge,
there was some suspicion of bias, especially when he sent off Mostovoi for two
very rigorous yellow cards in a period of eight minutes near the end, both for
suposedly time wasting. He did however allow Celta's goal, which was scored by
Mostovoi in an offside position, so that probably makes up for it. In all he
showed eight cards, and demonstrated that if the top boys get tired of it,
there is talent down in the lower ranks. (06.11.00) |
