News from La Liga...

Nine-year-old protestors and a missing mid-fielder for a major match...
From the International Herald Tribune...

Standing and saluting or running around the field...either way do they really know what the song is for?

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — An FC Barcelona youth team has boycotted the Spanish anthem at an international tournament for the second straight year.

The Catalans refused to stand for the anthem before their match against Benfica at the Mediterranean International Cup on Saturday, a tournament featuring players under the age of nine.

Instead, the team began warming up while their Portuguese opponents stood in line.

"Regrettably, Barcelona again broke FIFA's protocol before 20,000 spectators," tournament director Ricardo Godoy said in Tuesday's edition of Marca newspaper.

Godoy said he received an "aggressive" letter from Barcelona president Joan Laporta stating that Barcelona would abandon the tournament should it be forced to stand for the anthem.

Godoy is considering taking the case to FIFA.

"You don't use kids as political tools," he said.

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And in the "Worst Timing Ever" category, Sevilla will be missing a needed mid-fielder in several of the season's final matches...a very crucial time for them.

MADRID, Spain (AP) — The Spanish football federation suspended Sevilla midfielder Vincenzo Maresca for four games Tuesday for headbutting Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.

Maresca was immediately ejected in the 60th minute of Atletico's 2-1 victory at Sevilla on Saturday.

Sevilla will be without the Italian player for Sunday's game at league leader Real Madrid. Maresca is eligible to return April 27 at Murcia after missing games against Villarreal, Mallorca and Almeria.

Sevilla is sixth in the standings with 45 points, five behind Atletico for the fourth and final Champions League qualifying place.