Referee Explains Bilbao's Expulsions Against Real Madrid

Referee Muniz Fernandez has explained the reasons for the various red cards he produced in the game between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid.

Madrid won the game 5-2, but the match was marred by three dismissals. The first was given to Francisco Yeste immediately after Bilbao's first goal, and according to Marca, the referee's report lists the reason as "pushing an opponent violently with both hands and knocking him down".

Ion Velez was also sent off despite being on the bench, and it has emerged that it was due to use of profanity towards the ref.

Finally, Joaquin Caparros' assistant Luciano Martin was also expelled, and the reason for this one was "protesting angrily with raised arms, leaving the technical area, and responding to refereeing decisions with scornful gestures".

Unless the LFP (Professional Football League) decides to reverse any of these decisions, the trio will all be unavailable for Bilbao's trip to Sporting Gijon next weekend.