Over the last few weeks my level of respect for the FA has dropped even lower than before, and considering the severe lack of respect I had for them in the first place I didn’t think it would have ever been possible.

Now I’m no blind fool, I’m well aware of how the FA seem to operate and how they favour certain people or teams in certain situations, but recently they have either gone to another level or I’m just that little bit older and reaching Victor Meldrew age!

The issue for me is how anyone associated with the current England set up can get away with whatever they like (a bit like Mr Shearer did a few years back), but anyone else can go take a running jump.

This has never been made more evident than the topic of booing and abuse received by players which seems to have hit the headlines over recent days and weeks. A few weeks back Emile Heskey was racially abused by Croatia fans. The FA complained and demanded that FIFA act. Croatia received a £15,000 fine to which the FA and some of their current squad of players said was a bit of a let off and more (such as deducting points) has to be done to make things stop. However, a short while later a certain Sol Campbell (no longer playing for England so who cares about him now) received both racial and homophobic abuse from you know who when playing for Portsmouth. The reaction from the FA? Nothing. To the point that Hampshire police even had to step in and demand the FA take action. The FA’s response is that “they are investigating it”.

Whilst this investigation is going on England play again, and one of their defenders whose name I would rather not mention makes a howler and the opposition score. Upset fans decide to boo to let him know what they think. The very next day the FA has two or three members releasing statements saying how booing is unacceptable, how abuse of players is unfair and is not welcome in the stadiums. Cheer the team or don’t turn up. Where was this reaction following the treatment Sol Campbell received?

And for the final part of my rant in this international week, the FA’s reaction to that song which is sung to Arsene Wenger (at two grounds in particular) every season. Still no reaction, still no comment. Boo a player and a statement is made, be racist, homophobic or sing that song and you’re ok! It just doesn’t make sense. Last season I wrote to both the FA and that lot down the road to complain about the lack of action. I got no response from the FA and was told by the other lot that it was a lie and this song is never sung or they would deal with it! I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

So that is how I now think of the FA, on the same level as that lot down the road… I have to say it pains me to see Theo playing for such a horrible bunch.