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Always tell the truth
Towards the end of the game he ridiculously red carded Eric Djemba-Djemba for a supposed second bookable offence and by now he was in full flight, although with no sign of Sir Alex Ferguson he wasn't able to award Manchester United a penalty.
Then came his moment, and for the first time I can recall in a game, he collected the names of both managers in his little book and sent Steve Cotterill to the stands, presumably for speaking out of turn to Mo Camara. Steve looked reluctant to go at the time but a little persuasion from coach Steve Davis was all that was needed.
Although Davis was not charged, Steve was and yesterday had a personal hearing. He had a letter of support from Davis, and there were written reports from Derby coach Julian Darby and also from Mo Camara, the player he supposedly used abusive and/or insulting words to.
That's right, Camara said he didn't, Darby said he didn't, Cotterill said he didn't but Riley said he did and so Steve was fined £2,000.
"I went there and told the truth and have been fined for it," Steve said after being hit with the fine. That was an appeal against the ruling and I can appeal again. That is something I will have to think about when I consider everything."
So professional are the FA in these things that one of the panel, former Wimbledon and Newcastle defender Warren Barton failed to show having been stuck in traffic.
So was my mum right to tell me to always tell the truth. I think so, it is a pity she's not here now to run the FA.