Leading article: Fit for purpose

Who would be a Premier League football referee? This beleaguered tribe long ago got used to being labelled blind, stupid, weak and corrupt. And that's just in their own homes. The criticism that rains down on them from irate fans and managers every weekend is even less constructive.

And now Sir Alex Ferguson has come up with a new insult. Last weekend, the Manchester United manager accused Alan Wiley, who had refereed the match between the reigning champions and Sunderland, of being "not fit". Not fit, that is, in the sense of having consumed too many pies.

For referees this is a slur too far, not least since they are required to pass a rigorous physical examination before every season which involves six 40m sprints in rapid succession.

Perhaps referees should lobby for a similar test to be introduced for their tormentors in the dugouts. Even Sir Alex's notorious "hairdryer" would presumably be rather short of puff after a workout like that.