Spanish referee sends off six

MADRID, Nov 26 (Reuters) A referee sent off five players and a team coach in a Spanish second division match between Almeria and Xerez.

Antonio Mateu Lahoz took his time to warm to the task and did not show his first red card until nine minutes into the second half of yesterday's game, but then brandished another five in the last eight minutes.

Almeria had four players sent off but still held Xerez to a 1-1 draw with the visitors receiving two red cards, including one for coach Pepe Murcia who was ordered out of the dug out in the 82nd minute for back-chat to the referee.

Former Liverpool keeper Sander Westerveld, now playing for Almeria, was the final player to receive his marching orders when he brought down an opponent as he bore down on goal four minutes into injury time.

''I've never seen anything like it before in my life,'' Xerez coach Murcia said. ''I've never been in a game where four opposition players have been sent off.'' Reuters PDS RN2102