The Rational RefRoberto Mancini needs to learn that no-one likes a supergrass in Britain

Nobody likes a snitch or a telltale. When it comes to being a supergrass, unloved Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini either doesn't get it or is playing dumb.

Informants, to give snitches, telltales and grassers their official title, are society's unsavoury lowlifes. They are regarded with suspicion because the process of informing, specifically to a person of authority, is seen as being done for malicious, personal or financial gain.

Even in the classroom, schoolchildren intuitively know it is socially unacceptable to "rat" on a classmate. If a student goes to a teacher to tell on someone, then the whole class will usually close ranks and the snitch is ostracised.

Despite this risk of social banishment, there are still professional soccer players and managers who stoop to such low levels. The high-pressure, high-stakes and high-profile profession is one reason why some resort to being a snitch. Yet this also happens at the amateur level, where players and coaches are paid peanuts.

Tellingly, experienced referees, just like skilled teachers, can spot supergrassers. They come across as exploitative, cunning and disloyal. Every large social group has a few individuals who exhibit these traits, which probably explains why snitches appear at all levels of the game and strata of society.

Referees do not like informants because snitches on the pitch and in the technical area are troublemakers, and can incense other managers and players.

Mancini has incensed his English Premier League counterparts, and yet has accused them of treating him unfairly, saying he is "tired" of how managers behave towards him. The Italian has a history of run-ins with his counterparts because he has tried to get players booked by gesturing imaginary cards to match officials. He has had touchline altercations with Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Mark Hughes and Tony Pulis and also players like Steven Gerrard.