In a tumultuous game in which Jose Mourinho and two Real Madrid players were sent off last night, one Villarreal striker got off scot free despite receiving two yellow cards.
When Villarreal’s Marco Ruben was shown a yellow card for a high and seemingly unnecessary tackle on Alvaro Arbeloa ten minutes into the second half, most people watching on television would have been forgiven for wondering why he wasn’t given his marching orders.
In the first half, a yellow card was flashed in Ruben’s direction by referee Paradas Romero after a corner and the on-screen graphic certainly indicated that Ruben had indeed been cautioned.
After the game, Romero revealed that it was Marcos Senna and not Ruben that had been given the initial yellow card, but the Villarreal management took no chances and whipped Ruben off shortly after his challenge on Arbeloa, possibly just in case the referee may have been affected by the confusion and sent him for an early bath.
The two yellow cards were far from the only ones handed out in what was a robust affair at the El Madrigal as Real Madrid saw their once impenetrable-looking lead at the top of La Liga take a further dent as Barcelona lurk ominously behind.
Jose Mourinho was sent off for his reaction to Marcos Senna’s late equaliser in the 1-1 draw, while Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil also saw red, with the three men all being given the line in a crazy three minute period.
Pepe, that most wholesome of characters, was sent off in the tunnel after the game and the Real players and management subsequently refused to talk to the media such was their anger at what transpired on the pitch.
Had they a point in relation to the Ruben yellow card debacle? Have a look at the evidence above and judge for yourself.
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