SO WHAT to do about Sir Alex Ferguson’s latest rant ?

Referees are such an easy target it was predictable the Manchester United firebrand would deflect criticism from his players poor performance against Sunderland by lambasting the official.

The problem is our judicial system in football.

I’ll bet all the fines incurred through the man’s brilliant two-decade rule at Old Trafford – and there have been a few – don’t add up to a week’s wages.

Fergie can laugh off a punishment of ten grand and win it back on one of his horses in the 3.15 at Ascot.

A fine is no deterrent for any of our Premier League chiefs who consistently flout FA rules and publicly slaughter referees on a weekly basis.

Alan Wiley is no better no worse than any of them. He does his job as best he sees fit, takes the flak and never has the right to answer back.

What is indisputable – and has been proved – is that he’s as fit as any of the players.

All referees have to go through rigorous fitness tests – I’ve seen them do it - and they are constantly monitored.

Perhaps a better idea than a fine would be a ban, not just from the touchline but from the entire stadium, that might make Fergie think before he lets off another tirade at a defenceless target.

My last match at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup was one of the most incident packed games I’ve ever witnessed.

Hungary were awarded a penalty after 45 seconds and led 1-0 until the 82nd minute against Italy by which time the Azzurri had had two players sent off.

Amazingly the nine-men then scored to take the game into extra-time and Hungary had a player red-carded, so it was 10 against nine, and amid all the mayhem both coaches were sent off to cool down in the stands.

Hungary made it 2-1 and a minute later Italy were down to eight with another red card, but incredibly a very Italian sounding lad called Giacomo Bonaventura scored a brilliant solo goal to make it 2-2.

Hungary’s striker Krisztian Nemeth, who plays for Liverpool, scored the winner in the 119th minute with Italian bodies strewn all over the field in exhaustion.

It made our Premier League look tame.

THERE are always two sides to every argument – although that might be considered debatable in the case of Ferguson v Wiley.

I’m thinking more of Matthew Hoggard’s acrimonious divorce from Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

For as long as I can remember Yorkshire have found it difficult to say goodbye to legends in an amicable fashion – remember Johnny Wardle, Brian Close, Ray Illingworth et al!

Hoggy can be a complex character and can suffer from amnesia as in walking his dog last week at the time of a scheduled meeting to discuss his future at Headingley.

However, he did deserve a better exit than ‘a cup of coffee in the chief executive’s office’.

According to the fast bowler, who played a key role in England’s winning of the Ashes in 2005 and was discarded soon afterwards, he agreed with the county not to discuss a new contract until the season was over, and was then informed his services were no longer required without having the opportunity to do so.

In other words, he wasn’t given the chance to bargain – especially once the younger prospect Ajmal Shahzad had negotiated a new bumper deal for next season.

There is no doubt finance has been a major factor in Yorkshire’s decision although I understand Shahzad – an uncapped player let alone an established Test bowler – will be earning close to what Hoggard was hoping for.

At 32 it may have been ambitious of Hoggy to expect a three-year deal, but I respect his right to angle for that.

Yorkshire will point to his limited involvement in one-day cricket.

He will argue he wasn’t picked when he wanted to be.

See what I mean about two sides to every argument.

Another anomaly is Hoggy’s claim he was to be asked about assuming the captaincy, Yorkshire say no such discussion ever took place.

Amazingly what may have been a catalyst for the county’s decision was Hoggard’s query about missing a couple of games so he could appear on Strictly Come Dancing.

He ultimately – and quite rightly – put cricket first and took the wickets against Sussex that enabled Yorkshire to retain first division status, but perhaps it was that request that put Hoggy out of step with his employers.

Director of Cricket Martyn Moxon commenting on the ‘Walking the dog’ incident said: “It’s disappointing he chose to forget about that meeting.

“It does make you wonder about where Yorkshire cricket was coming in his priorities.”

Case closed, but what odds he comes back to haunt us in the future.