Graham Poll

[Emmet]

Can anyone think of a worse refereeing performance? He really was unbelievable the other night ...

[ramondo]

He's pretty Sh**e. Is he lined up for any other games?

[Emmet]

I hope not ... it wasn't the first time he messed up either:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/sport/world_cup/poll_controversy.shtml

[Superhoops]

He's pretty Sh**e. Is he lined up for any other games?
No!

Graham Poll has been named as one of 14 referees who have been sent home from the World Cup. The English referee has paid the price for his yellow-card blunder in the Australia versus Croatia game when he booked Josip Simunic three times.

Poll, 42, had been tipped as a possible World Cup final referee prior to the tournament getting under way. But a series of errors in Australia's crucial final Group F match ended any such hopes of being given the showpiece final. Poll's biggest mistake led to him cautioning Croatia's Simunic three times before finally sending him off.

But the Tring official also dismissed Australia's Brett Emerton and Croatia's Dario Simic. And Poll awarded the Socceroos a first-half penalty for handball by Stjepan Tomas but failed to spot an even more blatant handball by the same player after the break.

Mark Viduka also seemed to be bundled to the ground in the box during the first half, while it appeared that Harry Kewell was offside when he scored Australia's second equaliser.

A statement from Fifa referees committee president Angel Maria Villar Llona defended Poll but also conceded he had made a mistake.

The statement read: "Graham Poll is an exceptional referee and a great sportsman, who will be able to overcome the situation thanks to his strong personality and love of the game.

"Thursday evening's 2-2 draw between Croatia and Australia in Stuttgart saw referee Graham Poll make an error.

"The experienced official is disappointed at having committed the error, the first such mistake in his 26-year career.

"The Fifa referees committee also recognised the oversight and the fact that none of the match officials at the stadium picked up on the error.

"In explaining his actions to the committee, Poll said he incorrectly noted down the name of the Australia number three Craig Moore when booking Simunic for the second time and failed to realise his error."

Poll's assistant referees Philip Sharp and Glenn Turner will also not be involved in the latter stages of the tournament in Germany.

[OwlsFan]

Which one of us does not make an error at work ?

[micls]

Which one of us does not make an error at work ?

Ah come off it...an error would be one be one of the fouls he missed, pushing it maybe even the penalty decisions giving 3 yellow cards is a major f*ck up. Imagine what would have happened if the fella who should've been off scored to knock Australia out. Its the biggest stage in the world for the teams and referees. The players depend on referees they need to at least be able to count the cards. It was inexcusable

[pete]

I don't think he has been sent home as its more that he just not kept on for the later stages as this was a scheduled decision.

I only saw the highlights for Croatia v Australia & clearly the limesmen and 4th official almost as bad in not noticing the error.

Referee for Portugal v Holland was shocking eventhough it was a difficult game - he should have been experienced enough to know how to stamp his authority on a game early enough

[micls]

he should have been experienced enough to know how to stamp his authority on a game early enough
I doubt if a herd of elephants could've stamped their authority on that game

[Emmet]

I doubt if a herd of elephants could've stamped their authority on that game

If Collina had taken that game there is a good chance it would have finished 11 v 11; the players know the referees are poor / inexperienced and try to seek advantage through it

[OwlsFan]

Even referees can get emotional:

http://wc2006.telegraph.co.uk/Document.aspx?id=05242562-5F1B-4C0A-944A-D253E5EDAB10

[feo123]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha aragont c**t

[osarusan]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha aragont c**t

learn to spell.

[Superhoops]

learn to spell moron.
Learn to count graham poll :D

[osarusan]

Learn to count graham poll :D

indeed!! Cannot remember a worse mistake. There have been millions of dodgy decisions, but they are all just 'opinion' on what the ref should have done. But this was the first time I've ever seen this kind of mistake.

[OwlsFan]

I still think it is amazing that none of the opposition picked up on it either - surely the guy being marked by the player who got the second booking would have realised he was booked before.

Warnock, the Sheffield United manager, who can't stand any referees, will be thrilled because he hates Poll in particular following a mistake by Poll which led to Arsenal scoring in the FA Cup semi-final in 2003.