I read with interest the sportsmail from Andrew Lightfoot (Evening Press - June 30, 2000) and I disagree 100 per cent!

Andrew was stating opinion NOT fact regarding the Xavier handball incident.

I saw it the same way that Assistant Referee, Igor Sranka, did (as did UEFA).

I believe that Sranka made a bold decision which referee Gunter Benko supported.

This resulted in justice being done, as it was not a case of "ball to hand".

Referees get enough bad press, often without good reason. Officials are there to give an instant but unbiased decision. In this case the Portuguese reactions were out of order.

It is only right for the punishments to be handed out. UEFA have seen fit to give out a strong message. Pushing and jostling of the referee, assistant referee and fourth official were out of order.

It has also been good to see referees punishing the "cheats" who simulate fouls, including Mr Hagi.

I do agree with Andrew's sentiments about football and how it should be respected.

Referees will continue to acknowledge accidental handball, but will punish deliberate handball.

I think that the standard of refereeing at Euro 2000 has been a success.

The football generally has been a delight and players have helped to ensure that football has won.

Let's hope that Euro 2004 will also be a pleasure to watch - in Portugal!

Finally, I quote from Michel Vautrot in the June 2000 edition of the FIFA Magazine:

"As long as rules make the referee's opinion decisive in controversial situations, he will remain the only

legitimate delegate of the International Board, the ultimate authority of the game.

And as we know that there are always as many referees as spectators at any match,

it is just as well that we can depend upon the one who has taken the oath of impartiality and who also has the advantage of actually knowing the rules.

David King,

Beechwood Glade,

York

IT was nice to see in Sports Mail that Andrew Lightfoot has returned from hibernation or the South Pole or wherever.

"Football is one of the most respected and respectable sports in the world..." he wrote. "The sport is played according to carefully laid out rules".

The only games I have seen as described were in the Junior World Cup held in Africa a couple of years ago. Such games haven't taken place in Europe for over 20 years.

It is normal to trip the opposing player when you can't deprive him of the ball and you will get away with it nine times out of ten.

Shirt pulling takes place at almost every disputed ball and if you should fail to obtain possession you are expected to 'dive' - especially in the penalty area.

The referee's reaction has no bearing on how far he is from the action or whether he has a clear view or not.

The worst offence I saw in the Europe 2000 was Martin Keown taking a bootful of studs, at the end of stiff leg, in the solar plexus.

The referee was only a couple of yards away. Cricket is not the only sport that needs a judicial investigation.

K Barnes,

North View,

Catterton,

Tadcaster