In the strangest of incidents this month Blackburn United seniors were having to plead their case to get back into the Blackburn Combination league.

The vote went in favour of the club and it has become an all too common fate for the club. Every time there has been any sort of game stoppage it seems the club has had to be hauled in front of the league committe to answer questions regarding its behaviour.

It is a sad state of affairs I admit but one that can be avoided. Everyone who gets themselves in some bother can easily cry foul. But in this case it seems the club has had to miss over a month of football whilst many other instances have gone un-noticed or have been dealt with a simple slap on the wrist.

Indeed there are standards that referees, clubs and players must expect and there are lines which no-one can cross but that line is becoming more and more tainted.

The club has always tried to play competitively and I would be the first to say they have had their problems. All local clubs do but it is all the more frustrating having to fight three or four battles at once.

It is disappointing though that some people must publicly air their grievances without looking at the bigger picture. Must every issue an Asian team ever has with the authorities be classed as racist? I say no. It isn't about racism but it is about fairness and equality, where the facts must be allowed to speak for themselves. Unfortunately for a club like Blackburn United certain people have already labelled them.

If anybody wanted any evidence that football will win the day it came in the form of those 13 clubs that voted in favour of the club being admitted back into the league. Most clubs that have played Blackburn United would remember the game for footballing terms rather anything else.

Asian teams don't need 'favours' of any kind or to be seen as a special 'case'. That would bother most of us even more. But what we do want is the opportunity to play in leagues and with referees who accept the club like any other.

It is very patronising to hear some people talk of rules, regulations and behaviour as if they are speaking to people who don't know the basics of running a club. It is stange for people to talk of these things whilst ignoring their own faults and mistakes.

Running an Asian football team is tough...but it seems it gets tougher when you actually start winning games and are capable of beating the best opposition there is to offer. I remember when there were very few teams playing in the local divisions and leagues. There wasn't much of a problem because some would fail miserably when they played on grass. There was never an issue then because they would be the whipping boys and at the end of the game it was always 'well done, better luck next time'.

The best example of this has been the manner in which cricketers have been treated on the international circuit. When Darren Gough bowled an inswinger...it was art...but when Waqar Younis orginally did it...there was something dodgey going on.

I have been involved in the running of leagues and tournaments for over 20 years and know exactly how difficult it is at times to control players and teams. I have had many teams playing in the league regardless of their background. It is difficult but the spirit of football wins the day...not pre-determined notions of certain clubs..