Who's the banker in the black? Referees in the spotlight

Seems like as good a time as any. This week saw yet more referee controversy, after the dismissal of Vincent Kompany against Man Utd. Man City appealed, failed, and their captain copped a 4 game ban (3 for the foul, 1 as he has already been sent off this season). Opinion was split. Apparently, 30 years ago it would have been fine... If Nani hadn't jumped, he'd have lost his leg. Fair enough, the ref made a decision.

On Wednesday night, Man City were again at home, this time against Liverpool. Just before the end of the game, this happened...

Not that kind of player?

The issue with this decision? Consistency it seems. This challenge on Joleon Lescott was just as bad as Kompany's, and nothing happened. Of course it was a different referee, and they couldn't be expected to make the same decision. But if the official had seen Johnson's face while doing it, would the interpretation of 'excessive force' be the same?

Glen may need to steal a new toilet seat after this

Referees often get a bad press, but then some don't help themselves. The old adage of a 'good referee not getting noticed' often applies, but the the egos kick in. Jeff Winter, Graham Poll, personalities themselves it seems. Poll has his own column in the Daily Mail, and Winter claimed he was applauded off at Anfield by the Kop after his last game. Gunnerblog nailed the phrase in December during Arsenal's visit to Man City saying "Great referees don't get noticed. Phil Dowd is trending on Twitter."

Poll of course didn't cover himself in glory at the 2006 World Cup, famously booking Josip Šimunić three times before sending him off. He can now be relied on for various opinion pieces whenever a ref becomes the talking point.

Left hand or right hand?

Games can't go ahead without referees, and the FA know this. Constant campaigns to encourage youngsters into the sport, and even positive headlines like 26-year-old Michael Oliver being promoted to the FIFA list must have an impact. Of course the chance to come up one-on-one with some of football's finest must also appeal, like when Paul Alcock came up against Paolo Di Canio. It's probably a good thing it didn't happen to Winter, I dread to think the reaction.

5.9, 5.8, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0, 5.9 for Alcock

What can be done to improve consistency and accountability amongst referees? Well, technology needs to be introduced to help, goal-line technology and replays and all. Perhaps officials should be encouraged to explain after games their decisions? The UEFA idea of extra refs in penalty boxes certainly doesn't appear to have made much difference.

They could give refs microphones, but I think we can all thank a young, squeaky Tony Adams for that not catching on...