I am reading the book " Fundamentals of semigroup theory" by John M. Howie $\textbf{(Section 3.7)}$. I want to prove $\textbf{Theorem 3.7.2}$ >> If $S$ is a finite congruence free semigroup without zero and if $|S| > 2$, then $S$ is a simple group. Let $S$ be a finite congruence free semigroup without zero. Then $S = M[G; I, \Lambda, P]$, where $P$ is a regular matrix of order $\Lambda \times I$. We know that for every proper congruences on $S$, there exist a linked triple and for every linked triple there is a proper congruence. >> A triplet $(N, K, T)$, where $N$ is a normal subgroup of $G$, $K$ is an equivalence relation on $I$ such that $K \subseteq \varepsilon_I$ and $T$ is an equivalence relation on $\Lambda$ such that $T \subseteq \varepsilon _\Lambda$ and $q_{\lambda \mu ij} \in N$, whenever $(i,j) \in K$ or $(\lambda , \mu ) \in T$ Firstly we shall show that $G$ is a simple group. If $N$ is a proper normal subgroup of $G$, then $(N, 1_I, 1_{\lambda} )$ is a linked triple and gives a congruence which distinct from universal and identical congruences. Hence if $S$ is congruence free , then $G$ is either simple or $G = \{e\}$. If $G = \{e\}$, then $|S| = |I \times \Lambda| > 2$ and so either $|I| =| \Lambda | =2$ or atleast one of $I$, $\Lambda$ (say $I$) has more then two element. In the first case we find the linked triples $(\{e\}, 1_I, \Lambda \times \Lambda)$ and $(\{e\}, I \times I, 1_{\Lambda} )$ are the linked triples gives non trivial congruences, while in the second case there exist an equivalences $K$ on $I$ such that $1_I \subset K \subset I \times I$ which gives a linked triple $(\{e\}, K, 1_{\Lambda})$ and this gives rises a non-trivial congruences. Hence if $S$ is congruence free, then $G \neq \{e\}$ But in the starting of the section we realize that Since $(G, 1_I, 1_{\lambda})$ is a linked triplet and gives a non-identical proper congruences if $G \neq \{e \}$ and we assume that $S$ is a finite congruence free semigroup, so we get a contradiction. I am confused. Please tell me where am i wrong. Thank you