Graham Poll

[Northern]

Did anyone see 'Inside Sport' this morning with Graham Poll?

It was an interesting program, it was mainly about the documentary (which I unfortunately missed) where he'd been followed around for the last year by a camera crew documenting his last year as a ref.

I've always liked Graham Poll, he seems a decent guy, who gets alot of undeserved stick imo, but he always takes it on the chin.

He is REALLY pissed off with the FA, and feels referee's should be supported more by them. The whole Chelsea and Mourinho thing was metioned too. Apparently Mourinho insinuated that Poll and Ferguson were in a gay relationship and said something 'disgusting' to Poll regarding it!

I have alot of respect for Poll, I think referee's should be respected more at the higher levels (at our level the majority of refs are useless). If you ever watch Rugby League the amount of respect Officials get is unbelievable.

[BaselBantam]

I saw it and it was interesting.

One question I've always had about the WC incident is why the Poll took all the blame for the three yellow cards. I thought that the 4th official was also responsible for keeping a record and should have drawn Poll's attention to the mistake.

[Mallorcabantam]

A 4th official and 2 linesmen -- not much back-up there then!
They are just as much to blame

[Skyebantam]

it's pretty much a thankless task isn't it?, you have an excellent game it means no one really notices you but if you have a sht game, well you're the target of abuse. and i have had a go at refs as much as anyone but the fact they seem to get little respect from some players and noteably managers is a step too far. it's like northern says, you see rugby it's different and that's because it's been instilled like culture in that sport. something must be inherently wrong with our game. the fact poll has gone up against the FA on his own speaks volumes to me as i bet the FA etc is just 'jobs for the boys' and the like, poll will be another statistic or scapegoat that will be quickly replaced and forgotten. my message to poll would be go and enjoy your weekends now.