The Tannadice fiasco which saw Simon Murray red carded in Thursday night’s play-off could have been avoided in less than 60 seconds.
The match was live and there would have been a monitor at the dugout area where the TV and radio trackside reporters stand during the game.
It would have taken the referee and his fourth official around a minute to view the incident, several times if need be, from different angles, and arrive at a decision.
The technology is freely available in big games so why is it not being used?
The financial implications for both clubs of a major decision either keeping them in the Championship or condemning them to relegation could be ruinous.
The best evidence should always be used in matters of justice, whether in courts of law or the sporting field.
It may only be a matter of time before a club decides to take a matter to court to seek redress for failure of the authorities to ensure that justice is seen to be done.
* Staying with matters at Tannadice, United manager Ray McKinnon was absolutely right to show Wato Kuate the door after the player’s ludicrous temper tantrum which saw him argue with team mate Mark Durnan, then storm off the pitch gesturing angrily to the fans.
The former Manchester City player divided supporters over his fitness and work ethic. Those things can be worked on and improved, but a stinking attitude can fester in the dressing room and the United boss needs team players not big egos, as he builds his squad for the future.
Bad apples can rot the rest of the barrel: just ask Inverness boss, Richie Foran.
* The Scottish football season is finishing with a bang not a whimper.
As you read this I’ll be filming in Aberdeen with Dons fans that couldn’t get to Hampden for the 132nd Scottish Cup final, but who will be desperately hoping their team return victorious against Celtic, in what would be their eighth success in the competition.
On Sunday, the tangerine half of Dundee will hold its collective breath, as United travel to Hamilton in a game which will decide whether they’re back in the big league next season, or toiling for another year in the Championship.
In recent weeks I’ve witnessed the agony and the ecstasy at Stirling as Arbroath won the league two title to disappoint challengers Forfar, and I’ve been at Station Park and Balmoor at Peterhead as the Loons triumphed in their play-off final, to ensure they would accompany their Angus neighbours next season in league one.
Both occasions were carnivals of football passion and pride. Our national sport may not rival the luminescence of La Liga in Spain, or the brilliance of the Bundesliga in Germany, but what it lacks in quality it compensates for in drama and excitement.
At its heart it is about community and a sense of belonging which ultimately matters more than the quality.
As our club season draws to its end this weekend it is worth treasuring it for what it is, not what we might wish it was.
