It would be possible of course to cite an endless list of challenges and tackles which went unpunished or were dealt with too severely, but that won`t change the world. I recognise the flaws and failings of the refereeing fraternity, but there comes a point when a broader examination of the basic nature of the sport is desirable and maybe even necessary.
The partisan supporter is often blind to fairness. He only recognises fairness when it benefits his own team. He mostly cannot see it if it means a harsh punishment against the team which enjoys his loyalty.
He bleats continually about cheating in the game when it comes to "simulation", and yet applauds the "professional" foul. He utterly refuses to grasp the hypocrisy he has endorsed, and happily judges the two sets of circumstances by different moral standards.
Cheating, it would seem, is a despicable act when it goes against the favoured team, but is justifiable and understandable when it benefits the chosen ones.
Against this background, match officials cannot perform to a high standard because a high standard is only recognised by one half of the football public. The losing club will nurse grievances for days and sometimes weeks, and in extreme cases a club`s support can have a grievance culture embedded on its soul.
How can we demand honesty from officialdom when we don`t properly recognise honesty in the sport ourselves? If there are two views on one incident, each motivated by a partisan stance, can a committed football fan be trusted to make an honest judgement if he has a vested interest in the outcome?
Not every football fan is blinkered to the point of blindness, but maybe too many of us are, and not just at Rangers. This is a national disease where objectivity and integrity play second fiddle to aspirations, hopes and dreams.
When next we lambast the officiating community, we should also look a little closer to home. The referee will err, and he`ll be inconsistent too, but ultimately he will be answerable for his actions.
As committed fans, we spout off in one direction only, and only recognise fairness when the occasion suits. The refereeing community will never be good enough, and for one reason and one reason only - we need it to be the scapegoat for our failings, inadequacies and shortcomings.
Perhaps we get the refereeing we deserve ...
