Turf Talk, with DARREN BENTLEY. . .

ONLY last week, while chatting to David May, the thorny subject of referees cropped up.

The vastly experienced defender let it be known in no uncertain terms that he considered the standard of professional refereeing to have reached an all-time low.

"A joke" was his frank assessment of many of the bookings clocked up during the course of a demanding season, where defenders live and die by the timing of tackles in the heat of battle.

And anyone who has seen the majority of Burnley games would have to agree that 10 yellows represents an unjust punishment.

Certainly the critical 10th booking - which automatically triggers a two-match ban - was a direct result of the officials getting things horribly wrong at Bradford ten days ago.

May's euphoria at scoring a late winner was short-lived following a tiresome linesman's flag, chalking off a goal that television replays later proved to be perfectly legal.

The argument that May took his vehement protests too far holds little water, since it was a rank bad decision at a crucial point in a critical game that led to the outpouring of emotion.

No-one can argue we are now getting more instances such as this, with clubs and individuals being penalised by ever-inept men in black.

But in an age where video evidence is so readily available, with post-match analysis now part-and-parcel of the modern game, who is governing those who govern?

If the FA would only clamp down on the worst offenders, dishing out suspensions and even withholding match fees as the season progresses, rather than just reassessing the 'select' and 'national' lists every summer, fans and players alike would feel a wrong was at least being partially righted.

However, it's typical of the organisation to blatantly ignore a growing problem.

And if ever the law was an ass - then consider this. Had May carried out another bookable offence in the final minutes at Valley Parade, Burnley would actually have benefited from his dismissal.

Clattering into Danny Cadamarteri, or questioning the referee's parentage, would have resulted in the already-carded May picking up a second yellow, a red card and a ONE match ban instead.

That would have left May free for Monday's absolutely crucial Turf Moor clash against Watford.

Instead, Stan Ternent's men must go forth into this weekend's crucial double-header without the services of their captain and arguably their most competent defender.

I would highlight this loophole to Soho Square - but the fax would probably sink beneath a growing list of referee's match reports citing the heinous crime of 'foul and abusive language'.

The abbreviation 'FA' has never been more appropriate!