ALAN Smith's pre-Christmas proclamation that he was to clean up his act was given much publicity. Sceptics amongst us however, were unlikely to have been surprised by his dismissal at Cardiff for clearly thrusting an elbow into the face of an opponent seemingly intent on capturing a Leeds shirt.

What was particularly unfortunate for the Innocent One was that he choose this action at the very time when all National officials have received a communique from the FA. It seeks to clarify the situation by asserting that a hand or arm vigorously thrust into an opponent's face warrants a straight red card. Dead simple.

But no. We have to listen to the pathetic attempts of Andy Gray and his cronies to justify Smith's actions. The ref overreacted. He was merely trying to free himself. It was an automatic reaction. Most odious of all was the inference that only ex-pros could understand what really happened.

And then we get the first conspiracy theory of the New Year. It was his reputation that earned him such extreme sanction. Anybody else would have received a more lenient and benevolent approach from the official. Hollyhocks!

Let me give you a unique insight into the mind of Andy D'Urso. "That looked like an elbow by the white. Let's think . . . Yes it was a deliberate elbow. Blow the whistle . . . Keep watching . . . Don't let a scuffle develop . . . It's a red card (remember the FA memo) . . . Yes, straight red . . . Who is it? . . . Oh no it's Alan Smith . . . the proverbial will hit the fan now . . . still I know I have to . . ." That sequence took one or two seconds and culminated in a sending off that was neither pre-meditated or took account of the offender's identify.

Please. In this New Year could we all be a little more tolerant, more relaxed, and for goodness sake let's start enjoying the game again!