Triesman admitted it was wrong to post the evidence given in Patrice Evra's improper conduct hearing on the FA website without warning Manchester United first.

But he feels the concept is spot-on. In this instance, United were appalled as it painted Evra, assistant manager Mike Phelan and physio Tony Strudwick in a negative light.

Yet rather than shy away from the concept of open justice, which United skipper Gary Neville hinted at amid his damning condemnation of the FA's disciplinary system, Triesman feels clubs must get used to it.

"It is in our rules that we have the right to publish our reason but I don't look at it as a right - it's an obligation," said Triesman.

"Why shouldn't people know the reasons we have done what we have?

"We have got improvements to make in our system but the main thing is that everybody knows the rules of the engagement before they go into it.

"Certainly people will be pretty cautious if it was all going to be published."

It sounds like a boom time approaching for lawyers, although Triesman does not see it that way.

Neither does he feel putting United at the forefront of such public scrutiny bore any malicious intent.

There may be a feeling among some at Old Trafford - and Sir Alex Ferguson is usually among the conspiracy theorists - that the FA like to bring United down a peg or two because of their success.

Triesman, whose political views are almost identical to the United boss, rejects the notion completely.

"United are upset," he observed.

"They should have had notice of the statements coming out.

"But this is nothing to do with Manchester United. It is just decent practice.

"I have got absolutely no sense from anybody inside Soho Square that they have got it in for them.

"(Chief executive) David Gill is held in huge esteem. And while Alex may on occasions find himself in the disciplinary spotlight, he is an extraordinary manager and a genuinely remarkable man."

Underpinning Triesman's argument is a desire to improve player behaviour.

The much-trumpeted 'Respect' campaign is credited as the brainchild of outgoing chief executive Brian Barwick but Triesman is fully appreciative of its aims.

With record numbers of officials being lost to the game at grass-roots level, Triesman feels only the top-down approach to player behaviour will work.

"We have to keep this in context," he said.

"In some other sports - such as rugby and cricket - the players' conduct can be mind-boggling. The punches thrown in a rugby match would not be acceptable in football, nor would the sledging in cricket.

"But what we must have is a greater maturity in the relationship between players and officials.

"Things are copied in parks very quickly and if we don't have officials, we don't have a sport."

No-one is immune from scrutiny, including the England team. Triesman has admitted to watching the Three Lions through splayed fingers at times as another flashpoint approaches.

"When I see it happening, I always find I am on the edge of my seat thinking: 'Oh no, please stop that'.

"It's important because of the impact they have.

"They are great players and because they are great leaders in the sport it worries me because the ripple effect goes through the game at all levels.

"But I must say that this season, overall, we have seen real change for the better.

"It is not me saying it, the referees are saying it and that is the most significant thing of all."