Of rather more significance, however, is the almost complete lack of “protection” afforded to this kid. He gets kicked in every game and rarely replies but is NEVER intimidated.

Kinda like Georgie Best in his pomp, Ronaldo seems to regard getting fouled by his marker as a sign of “respect” since the marker has made it clear that he can only stay with CR7 if he fouls him.

To say that Ronaldo has “matured” or “grown up” is somewhat beside the main point that this kid has always had unbelievable talent (like Anderson) and has now grown into his mature game.

From the very first time I saw CR7, I just knew that this guy was really going to be “the next George Best”. Maybe even better since Ronaldo seems to have a passion for football that Georgie lost.

And, of course, he’s almost never given the benefit of the doubt by referees and is castigated by fools like Southgate.

It’s to Lawrie Sanchez’s credit that he basically refused to be drawn into the tabloid press witch-hunt.

Styles’ performance brings back memories of Uriah Rennie, who loved frolicking around the pitch, always posturing himself for the cameras. How can any referee deny such a certain penalty, if not to be celebrated (or at least, to be noticed)?

For me, whether there was contact between Ronaldo and Niemi is irrelevant. The fact is that Niemi had laid an insurmountable obstacle for a sprinting Ronaldo by sprawling on the ground, arms up high. Ronaldo could have ran straight into Niemi, tumbled over, and risked injury to both players. Or he could have tried to jump over Niemi, which he sensibly did. Unfortunately, that has given his gesture semblance to a dive. Whether Niemi had intended to bring Ronaldo down is also irrelevant. That he dived and obstructed Ronaldo at all mandates a penalty.

It is nauseating that such a clearcut and obvious decision for me has been hotly debated by the media. If this warrants mention, then surely Gerrard’s swan dive against Everton does as well. Even the English media’s favourite Iron Man John Terry has been culpable of cheating time and again with his habit of raising his arms in the penalty area – of course, with impunity. Because, why in the world would the honourable English captains Terry and Gerrard ever cheat?

I hope for a referee who could officiate a match without bias, without any preconceived notions or expectations of players, and who would also employ his common sense to the best of his ability. Very likely, in vain.

Oh and I dont think Ronaldo deserved the card for that “dive” on Monday.

Ronaldo has cut out diving from his game. He might fall down after a soft foul but I wouldn’t be resisting fifty challenges a game either.