NO sooner had Lee Mason's flag gone up at Old Trafford on Wednesday night than the predictable calls soon followed.

As referee Mike Riley handed Manchester United the most questionable of questionable penalties for Mauricio Tarrico's brush with Paul Scholes on the back of his assistant's opinion, the cry for professional officials was on its way.

Of course, we already have professional referees. One strange linesman's - sorry, assistant referee's - decision later and they are next on the road to full-time employment.

"It was a bad, bad decision," fumed Glenn Hoddle - a statement that can't be argued with and you have to sympathise.

But it's his next point that could be called into question: "We need everyone in this profession to be professional, from top to bottom, because, at the end of the day, we have the most important decisions still being made by part-timers. It's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.''

Sorry Glenn, the ridiculous call here is for full-time linesmen.

Mason's decision was a strange one, barely warranting a free-kick, let alone a penalty and red card.

But ask yourself this. If Mason was getting paid £50,000 a year (plus expenses) would it have helped his eyesight? Would it have improved his sense of direction, his reaction to Old Trafford's East Stand baying for blood, or even his common sense?

It could have been a linesman in the Northern League making an equally poor decision - and the only payment he gets is a few bob for his Shildon, Peterlee or Tow Law troubles.

For some, whistle-blowing has been turned into a full-time career for the so-called cream of the crop.

And has that made such a difference? Do they get every decision right or are they as incompetent as ever? How many players, managers and fans have Graham Poll (the man representing England at the World Cup in 83 days) or Paul Durkin infuriated this season.

Yes, they get the chance every few weeks to get together to be pampered at a plush hotel as they review their performances, but does that help them avoid making mistakes in the heat of the moment? I think not.

With the go-professional call comes the old chestnut of video replays. That idea can be stuck where the linesman's flag belongs because the logistics of working that notion to suit all parties is a minefield. Every decision, from a disputed throw-in to a free-kick, could be called into question. And every game will be dragged out, a la American Football, as we wait for the video to be viewed, weighed up and a decision made.

If the FA's normal timescale is anything to go by - Thierry Henry is this week carpeted for a verbal attack on our friend Mr Poll on December 18 - games will last hours, never mind 90 minutes. Wouldn't you rather see the odd mistake here and there