[kingkop182]

The intent bit is not necessary for either red or yellow cards to be issued. You can have a player who is late to a challenge - who had every intention of playing the ball but catches the man - sent off.

There is great inconsistency when deciding what constitutes a yellow or red card - it's a very hot topic. For example persistent shirt pulling is a yellow in England but in Italy it's all part of the game and expected. You'll see different referees giving different decisions on the same day for what essentially are the same offence.

It's all very subjective and changes, day to day, league to league, referee to referee. The red card last night was given apparently for reckless play (showing his stoods) i.e he didn't mean to injure but had he have missed the ball, he could have seriously injured the Spanish player.

I think it was harsh.