The gross overreaction of Scotland's football authorities to the recent troubled Scottish Cup tie between Rangers and Celtic is amply illustrated by the weekend's FA cup semi final between the two great Manchester rivals City and United.

Never two clubs to lose much sleep about upsetting the other it was a predictably tempestuous affair eventually being won by the underdogs from the City of Manchester Stadium.

The game ended in what commentators called a 'competitive spirit' at Wembley with United captain Rio Ferdinand getting involved in an altercation with City striker Mario Balotelli. When his advances were thwarted by his team-mates he then turned his attention to assistant manager David Platt. The general situation deteriorated into an ugly rammy involving players and coaching staff from both sides. Outside the ground there were 34 arrests.

The consequences of this competitive spirit is likely to be a few fines, slapped wrists and general congratulations to both teams on providing a fine example of a good old fashioned combative cup tie.

Contrast with two weeks before when Rangers lost to Celtic in the Scottish Cup quarter final. After the final whistle went there was bit of jostling on the pitch and the touchline between players, management and officials and words were exchanged but not no blows. Around the ground there was also 34 arrests.

The consequences of this episode? A small jungle is felled to cope with the newsprint coverage of 'Scotland's shame' and no less than the First Minister is called in to chair a 'crisis' summit.

The result yet more PR initiatives to try and persuade people to behave in a sporting and civilised manner.

Please, the introspective nature of Scottish Football is killing the game. Yes, it has problems but as illustrated at Wembley no worse or better than any other football nation. Yes there is an ugly religious underside to the rivalry here but is it any worse the racial unquoted abuse directed at Balotelli at the weekend? Or the racism displayed week in week out in Russia, Italy and Spain?

Football has an ugly side the world over. If the SFA think they can get rid of it by empty posturing they are deluded.