Regular readers of this blog will know how much I hate the prospensity of football clubs to ban journalists who are perceived to step out of line.

Far too often, journalists are prevented from doing their jobs simply because they've dared to ask a question, or written a line, which falls foul of a club's expectations.

Football clubs pay press officers to carry out their public relations duties. Journalists working for independent news organisations should be free to ask legitimate questions.

Take Rob Harris, of the Associated Press. Earlier today, he asked a perfectly reasonable question of Sir Alex Ferguson: "How important is Ryan Giggs?"

Sir Alex's response was to whisper to an aide: "We'll get him. Ban him on Friday."

Pathetic, isn't it?

Given that Giggs is at the centre of one of the stories of the moment, and clearly under intense pressure, why shouldn't a reporter ask a question about his importance to Manchester United's chances of winning the Champions League final against Barcelona?

Sir Alex, of course, hasn't spoken to the BBC since 2004 after a documentary about his son Jason, who was then working as a football agent.

It is an unacceptable situation which has been allowed to go on far too long by the football authorities.

Thankfully, it doesn't look like Ferguson will get his way in banning Rob Harris because Friday's press conference is organised by Uefa.

Sir Alex might have to resort to the courts and get a super-inunction to keep his comments private from Harris.

Surely, the Manchester United boss will be able to use the Human Rights Act to protect himself from unwanted questions from irritating, disrespectful journalists who refuse to toe the line.