Law 18 anyone?

I defended referees yesterday and said they need to make the most of their positions: "they are always right."

They were absolutely right again yesterday when it comes to the 17 laws of football. But perhaps the biggest rule in the game is Law 18: the rule of common sense.

Step forward Mr Hall and Mr Miller.

Hall refereed the QPR v Reading game and sent off Ben Watson in the first-half for taking a free-kick too quickly. Watson, the QPR player, had indeed taken it too quickly, was on a booking so should have been carded. But people are human.

Similary Miller sent-off Guy Moussi of Nottingham Forest after the French midfielder netted a winner in the dying seconds against Barnsley. Second booking, red card. Human emotion does not seem to come into it.

Mr Hall and Mr Miller should maintain their public stance that they were right (indeed they were by the rule book). But at the same time they should review their only performances and think about law 18 (a rule explained to trainee referees on training courses).