Richard Keys and Andy Gray have paid the price for their 'off-air' comments about female assistant referee Sian Massey.
I'd also put money on it that the other halves of the two presenters aren't best pleased either.
I watched, live, the first offside incident and like any normal footy viewer thought Raul Meireles was offside. I'd only just joined the match and had no idea that Sian was on the touchline; consequently I had absolutely no pre-match thoughts about the officials. The subsequent replay supported her excellent, hairline decision.
It takes pitch officials years of practice, training, testing, assessing and disappointment to get to the top of their profession.
Make no mistake, Sian would have been subjected to all of that as well as having to manoeuvre all the extra hurdles of being a female in a male-dominated profession.
The decision to elevate her to such an important role in the Premier League will not have been taken lightly.
If the authorities felt anyone was incapable, they just wouldn't get the chance. There are thousands of aspiring refs who, like the players, never make the top grade. This lady will have worked her socks off to get where she is today!
So, is there a place and a future in the game for female officials? There is one definite advantage; the player's attitude. More than half of all footballers would react differently to a decision made by a female ref as opposed to a male.
We are all brought up differently and, sure, we should treat all people the same but there is no doubt the majority of us treat women differently.
Would Wayne Rooney run towards a female referee snarling to contest a decision? Especially when Coleen will see it? I'm sick and tired of the poor examples our professionals give to all the kids. Could it not be a smart move to have all women officials?
I know for a fact that the lads at Barnet are split regards female officials. One of my players categorically stated that it would solve his discipline problem and improve him as a player.
It's a tough time but enthrallingly enjoyable at Barnet at the moment. Nothing is ever boring at our proud club.
If relegation was decided on hard work then we would be challenging for promotion.
The players are putting in the hours and effort.
The "obligatory and traditional" Wednesday off that exists in football is a thing of the past and something to be earned, if at all. The hardwork paid off at Port Vale on Tuesday with another valuable point. Trouble was when we dragged ourselves into the changing room after the game we found we had gone down two places!
That's football.
