Football is, as Pelé once said, 'a beautiful game', but it is a long way short of being perfect.
You can imagine Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale was contemplating that very notion as he travelled back from Bury on Saturday afternoon, frustrated that his side hadn't been given an 85th-minute penalty that would have, if converted, gone a long way to boosting their chances of promotion this season.
David Wheeler had tried to stay on his feet and get a shot away as he was clipped in the area by Bury defender Jimmy McNulty. His honesty was punished as referee Nigel Miller didn't award a spot-kick even though Wheeler had been denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
"The decision was not only a bad decision for the game, it was an absolutely shocking decision for football," fumed Tisdale after the match.
"Do we have to tell our players to dive and roll around on the floor to get a decision?"
Unfortunately, it seems, the answer to that question is yes.
It is far from ideal, but I don't see how a player is going to get awarded a penalty if he doesn't appeal for one by falling to the ground.
I recall in the 2002 World Cup, the Republic of Ireland getting a spot-kick in the final minute of their second-round clash with Spain, when Fernando Hierro grabbed hold of Niall Quinn's shirt. Quinn didn't appeal or go to ground, but Anders Frisk still pointed to the spot.
However, I can recall that incident because of how rare it was. We are also talking about a top-class official in Frisk.
He is someone who has the courage and strong-willed nature to make such a decision – sadly you aren't going to get that from League Two referees.
Watch the Niall Quinn penalty incident mentioned here:
I think most fans wouldn't have a problem with a player falling to the ground if there is contact either.
It is not really a player trying to con the referee, just to make sure he sees that there has been contact – and sometimes it is difficult to spot.
However, fans are growing frustrated by incorrect decisions costing their sides points and promotion.
So what is the solution? Video replays and harsher punishments for diving, time-wasting and swearing at match officials? Yes, I think those measures would all help, but I don't expect to see them introduced anytime soon.
It must be frustrating for managers like Tisdale that the football authorities don't seem willing to address the current problems.
This is because, like Pelé, he has an idealistic view and can see what football could be.
They know football can do better and want their team to set an example by conducting themselves in a well-behaved manner.
Some would argue that City should scrap their fair play if they don't get any reward for it and instead resort to diving, intimidating officials and wasting time.
And it is valid argument as they would get more reward for it.
But what does that say about football and the not-so-beautiful game?
