No surprise that UEFA have decided to rescind the two-game sanction that they imposed on Eduardo for allegedly “deceiving the referee” in the Arsenal’s Champions League qualifier against Celtic.  The whole episode has further tarnished the reputation of this so-called professional body.

After the game on August 26^th we saw SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith come out with all gun’s blazing not just accusing Eduardo of diving, but asking for a two-game ban.  Naturally, the media followed and gave his campaign to stamp out on diving further air.  All while Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez, the Spanish referee who officiated the game, stood by his decision to award a penalty.

Shocking this.  A referee stands by his decision but the authorities, because of the media decide to ignore his report and charge Eduardo with deceit.  And by doing so, they tarnish his reputation, slander and libel him in the process.

Needless to say, the media will still see Eduardo as a cheat, somebody who goes to ground softly.  Yet in the appeal, “it was not established to the panel's satisfaction that the referee had been deceived in taking his decision on the penalty.”

So why didn’t they leave the decision to the referee?  Why don’t they introduce TV replays as certain managers have called for?  And what about all the sports journalists who are even as I write this are calling this annulment of suspension a “black day for football”?

The authorities have forgotten who they are.  They do not need to listen to the media.  Their job is not to please reporters, but to be the guardian’s of the law.

Eduardo’s reputation has been tarnished.  Reputations are worth money, a lot of money.  And something needs to be done about this.  A libel lawyer would have a field day.

It has been a very interesting start to the season for Arsenal, with only Thomas Vermaelen being the most notable signing during the transfer window that has just closed.

Thomas has made an immediate and positive impact on our game.  His partnership with Gallas has made the back line more solid, reminiscent of the days when we had Keown and Adams or Kolo and Campbell during the invincible season.

Our game has improved, we have become more assertive and appear to no longer shriek at the fight that is needed to win silverwear.  Having said this, while our game has improved the reputation of football authorities and referees has continued to sink.  But, this might just be a blessing in disguise, helping our talented squad to battle for every challenge and result.

The return leg of the Champions League qualifier couldn’t have been more ridiculous.  As we know Eduardo was awarded a penalty, which he duly took and scored.  Celtic though were not happy about this decision and very publicly called for a ban for our ‘Crozilian’ striker.

The fact is that we do not know if it was or wasn’t a penalty.  What we do know is that if it was then it could be described as a ‘soft’ penalty.  Yes, it might have changed the game.  The issue though is that Spanish referee Mejuto González didn’t change his opinion and stuck by his decision that what he saw was a foul.  If it Eduardo had dived then the maximum punishment for him would have been a yellow card, as we have seen on numerous occasions.

Celtic, Scottish FA Chief Executive Gordon Smith and UEFA decided to open a can of worms by undermining the referee’s decision.  Gordon Smith made a firestorm out of the situation and put UEFA into a corner.  Sadly, UEFA are known for their incompetency and ruled that a two-match ban was to be imposed, though the governing body have allowed Arsenal to appeal.

What is interesting is that video technology is allowed, decisions like this appear to be based purely on the emotion attack of the media.  Quite ridiculous.  You have a set of rules that dictate that referees have all the authority yet if the media cry foul then UEFA enter and punish, undermining themselves.

So, if a penalty had not been awarded then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.  So, from this point of view shouldn’t it be the referee who should be questioned?  And if so, what about some consistency?  Other higher profiled players are known for their antics, but of course they play in other leagues.

Something is not right.  Having said this Arsenal will appeal.  They have publicly stated that there are very obvious errors in the way they reached their judgement and these will be challenged.  But can one succeed against a ‘kangaroo’ court?  One must still take a stand.

Equally given that the Arsenal statement questioned the way that the decision was reached I would wonder if the club would make public the file that they put forward to state their case.  As much as I would like to see this I would trust that UEFA rules forbid this, as it would undermine the governing body’s position.

Then we have the game away to Manchester United.  A great performance by Arsenal who should have got a result.  But we didn’t.  And what was worse was the refereeing.  Arsenal committed 15 fouls for which we got 6 yellow cards, while Manchester United committed 21 for which they got 3 yellows.  I could also talk about the penalty that wasn’t awarded for the foul of Arsharvin.  And then there was the sending-off Arsene Wenger to kicking a bottle of water in the dying seconds of added time.

British Referees and their officials are not at a level where they should be.  They are poor.  In Europe there is a fear of drawing a referee from these shores because they lack authority and control.

How ironic can it be that while the Premier League rights are worth billions that our referees wouldn’t make a Spanish 3^rd division game.  Shocking and an embarrassment for The FA and the Premier League.