Sports letter: Alcock in the dock

Sir, The Paolo Di Canio incident began when Patrick Vieira threw Wim Jonk to the ground. Despite the possibility of violence between these two players, the referee, who was no more than four yards away, made no attempt to intervene.

As Di Canio reached Vieira, Keown, in spreading his arms to protect Vieira from Di Canio, caught Di Canio in the face, apparently accidentally. Still the referee did nothing. Of course any player who strikes an opponent with hands and feet and then pushes the referee deserves hefty punishment. This should not obscure the fact, however, that Mr Alcock's inaction resulted in a minor altercation becoming a major fracas.

DUNCAN McINTYRE

Greencock