Football / European Round-Up: Triple red for Barcelona

FOUR MEN were sent off as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fought out a stormy 1-1 draw in the Nou Camp on Saturday. The 70,000 crowd reacted in fiery fashion: the referee, Jose Pajares Paz, had to be escorted off the pitch under police riot shields while being pelted with coins and cigarette lighters.

Barcelona's Jose Baquero was the first to go, in the 68th minute for his second yellow card, with Guillermo Amor following for arguing. Juan Vizcaino, of Atletico, and the home side's Ronald Koeman went in the last three minutes for bad tackles. The goals, incidentally, came from the penalty spot: from Koeman after 12 minutes and Luis Garcia after 58.

The Brazilian, Bebeto, missed a penalty for the Spanish league leaders, Deportivo La Coruna, who were held 1-1 at Osasuna. Two points off the pace are Real Madrid, who drew 0-0 at home to Sporting Gijon.

In the Dutch league, PSV Eindhoven saw Jan Heintze sent off, Romario miss a penalty and Dennis Bergkamp give visitors Ajax the lead - but two goals from Edward Linskens gave the champions a 2-1 win. PSV stay one point ahead of Feyenoord, who won 5-1 at Dordrecht.