In an article in today's Independent he continued:
Some thought that the referee showed commendable common sense, but I take the view that any official demonstrating reluctance to apply the laws of the game and who enters into a cosy conspiracy with the managers and players does the game and his lesser colleagues a disservice.
Kaye should not be made a martyr by the FA because he will not have been the first culprit, if the case is proven, merely the first where action is taken after many years of managers wanting an anything-goes tolerance in friendlies, particularly pre-season.
Had Viduka been sent off by Kaye, he would have received an automatic three-match suspension for violent conduct and been unavailable for selection by his manager, Peter Reid, for Leeds’ opening three matches of the Premiership season.
One Select Group referee expressed reservations to me the other day about the way they have been told by the Premier League's head of referees, Philip Don, to maintain strict control by using yellow cards if necessary.
Presumably, now he himself is established on the élite list, he would prefer to rely on his personality and man-management. By and large, however, the cautionable offences are mandatory and if an aspiring referee on the parks has to show the yellow card to a player who gives him a mouthful, why shouldn't those who appear on our television screens?