Gabriel Martinelli shoved an official during the FA Cup(Image: BBC)

It’s the kind of open goal you could be mistaken for thinking even the Football Association couldn't miss. The chance of a slam dunk.

To make the kind of example of a footballer, future generations of the sport need to see happen. But alas, the FA appear hamstrung by their own rules. Which is a farce in itself.

So we have to stomach the fact that Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli can push a referee live on TV - and escape with nothing more punitive than a booking. And we wonder why amateur referees up and down the land are turning their backs on football.

Gabriel Martinelli was punished with a yellow card(Image: BBC)

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While those brave enough to take charge of matches every weekend continue to receive intolerable levels of abuse. Sometimes on a physical level.

Martinelli shoved referee Sam Barrott in an attempt to take a quick free kick, as Arsenal chased an equaliser in last weekend's...