View Full Version : Poll turns in his FIFA badge
MassachusettsRef
29 Jun 2006, 12:06 PM
I hope this article speaks for itself:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=372870&cc=5901
Ref Flunkie
29 Jun 2006, 12:21 PM
I hope this article speaks for itself:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=372870&cc=5901
Wow....:(
KMJvet
29 Jun 2006, 12:59 PM
Sad for him, but his decision seems right for him.
It's really bad if the journos are hassling his family.
NHRef
29 Jun 2006, 01:00 PM
There is a section in there that is very interesting given what has happened with/to refs in the WC:
'It was not caused by a FIFA directive, it was not caused by me being asked to referee differently to the way I referee in the Premier League.
'The laws of the game are very specific. The referee takes responsibility for his actions on the field of play.
'I was the referee that evening. It was my error and the buck stops with me.'
Poll said part of the reason for his mistake was tiredness.
'I couldn't replay the decisions in my head because I could not recall them,' he said. 'I was so fatigued in the 90th minute it doesn't look like Graham Poll refereeing.
'Those who are close to me, who know me, in fact any supporters from the Premier League if they watch those last 10 minutes, they will say that doesn't look like Graham Poll refereeing. That's true.'
The first part, basically pointing out the error wasn't due to certain things, am I correct in implying that this means refs are reffing like they are not use to? Second, his tiredness, given the training they do and the testing they went through, what does this mean? Are they putting the refs on to many games? ie not enough teams there in the first place?
It's an interesting article. My feeling is that we will hear more over the next few weeks as refs finish up in the WC, especially the ones to old to make it back next time around.
usatowin
29 Jun 2006, 01:09 PM
His talk about fatigue brings up a point I've already made about refs being overworked in this WC. Too many games in too little time.
A sad day, but the decision is right. He would have just taken a spot another English ref could be using to work to the WC.
billf
29 Jun 2006, 02:21 PM
Lots of class on Poll's part.
Englishref
29 Jun 2006, 02:30 PM
Just to clear up, Poll isn't "turning in his FIFA badge". He's simply saying that it is another English FIFA referee's turn to have a go at tournament football. I fully expect to see Graham out refereeing Euro 2008 qualifiers, and of course, UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League games.
Englishref
29 Jun 2006, 02:32 PM
Oh, and the full interview can be found here. (http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/homearticle.aspx?hlid=399390&CPID=4&clid=&lid=2&title=Poll+ends+international+career)
MassachusettsRef
29 Jun 2006, 02:34 PM
Just to clear up, Poll isn't "turning in his FIFA badge". He's simply saying that it is another English FIFA referee's turn to have a go at tournament football. I fully expect to see Graham out refereeing Euro 2008 qualifiers, and of course, UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League games.Re-reading the article, I see your point, but still can't tell exactly what Poll means.
On the one hand, he says he's done with "international tournaments," which, given his age, was pretty much a guarantee, anyway.
The article strongly implies, though, that he's giving up all international refereeing. He won't turn in his FIFA badge today (my language) but it sure does seem like he won't re-up for 2007, which he is allowed to do.
Do you, Englishref, think that's reading too much into it? I actually don't expect to see him in EURO08 qualifiers and UCL matches, but your guess is as good--and probably a little better--than mine.
MassachusettsRef
29 Jun 2006, 02:41 PM
Oh, and the full interview can be found here. (http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/homearticle.aspx?hlid=399390&CPID=4&clid=&lid=2&title=Poll+ends+international+career)Wow.
Incredibly classy stuff from Poll.
"People need a dose of reality. They can all move on, once they've tried to destroy you. Someone said to me maybe one day, you can say, with your grandson on your lap, maybe you could've refereed the World Cup final - and I haven't."I don't know how you can't feel for him.
Ismitje
29 Jun 2006, 03:01 PM
For all of the well-directed slams on Blatter'spublic comments ont he officiating, he deserves some kudos for this:
"Last night, at the farewell dinner, I had a personal call from Sepp Blatter to urge me to continue, not to doubt my ability as one of the best referees in the world. It has to touch you when the president of Fifa, the most powerful man in football, takes trouble to say not you're rubbish, you've let me down, you've ruined the tournament but, basically, nobody died. He said these things, it happens, you're a fantastic referee and I urge you to press on and carry on with your career."
USSF REF
29 Jun 2006, 03:54 PM
We can all learn something from Mr. Poll, and not just that we shouldn't give 3 yellows to one player before sending them off.
Ted D
29 Jun 2006, 03:54 PM
Wow. You can't help but feel for this guy.
Alberto
29 Jun 2006, 04:02 PM
Sorry to hear about his decision. I understand and in a similar circumstance would do the same. He has had two very controversial world cups and fatigue played a part in both of those matches. It's a smart move on his part to recognize it and to move on. I hope he continues to referee Premiership and UEFA Cup and Champions League matches. He's a good referee and a stand up man.
His talk about fatigue brings up a point I've already made about refs being overworked in this WC. Too many games in too little time.
A sad day, but the decision is right. He would have just taken a spot another English ref could be using to work to the WC.
Poll's shown a lot of class, but I'm not sure about the tiredness at the end of the game argument. His actual mistake was misrecording the first yellow card and that happened in about the 65th minute, iirc. Otoh, I guess you can plausibly argue that tiredness meant he couldn't think straight and remember that he'd already given the same guy a card. I still don't understand howboth ARs and the fourth official missed it as well though.
Englishref
29 Jun 2006, 05:47 PM
Wow.
Incredibly classy stuff from Poll.
I don't know how you can't feel for him.
As he said that, he was on the verge of tears. It's seriously one of the most moving interviews I've seen.
Do you, Englishref, think that's reading too much into it? I actually don't expect to see him in EURO08 qualifiers and UCL matches, but your guess is as good--and probably a little better--than mine.
I don't confess to know Graham Poll personally, I'm just going on what I've seen and heard of him, and from what people who know him better than me are saying. I think the fact he made a point of saying 'international tournaments' suggests he's not prepared to quite as a FIFA referee yet. Poll clearly loves the big occassion, and is extremely popular in mainland Europe, much like Collina was in England. He also says in the interview he prefers club football, so I'm sure he'd still love to do an AC Milan vs Barcelona game for example. You may be right about not doing Internationals full stop, but tbh, I think it's far too early. It's obviously still sore, so I expect we'll know more when the Euro qualifiers and UCL group stage starts in September. My hunch is he'll referee on UEFA competitions up to December 2008, Euro 2008 excepted, though.
whitehound
29 Jun 2006, 05:55 PM
We can all learn something from Mr. Poll, and not just that we shouldn't give 3 yellows to one player before sending them off.Okay I am raising the BS flag here... WHAT can we learn? That if you make a big mistake you just quit? Heck I be ALL of us would have quit a long time ago if that was the case. Gents, he doesnt give a reason why he made the mistakes.....he made them. So he sucks it up and learns from them and moves on. Maybe he isnt the refgod that he and we all thought he was and has to have a little humble pie in the next tournament but he shouldnt quit.
MassachusettsRef
29 Jun 2006, 06:00 PM
Okay I am raising the BS flag here... WHAT can we learn? That if you make a big mistake you just quit? Heck I be ALL of us would have quit a long time ago if that was the case. Gents, he doesnt give a reason why he made the mistakes.....he made them. So he sucks it up and learns from them and moves on. Maybe he isnt the refgod that he and we all thought he was and has to have a little humble pie in the next tournament but he shouldnt quit.He's 43 and can't make another tournament so he's stepping aside to give his fellow referees a chance at the big stage, when he has the right to cling to his FIFA badge and be England's top referee for the next 2 years. The man could, pretty much at his own choice, referee at EURO 2008 and most certainly be considered for the Final. He's giving that chance to a fellow referee. How many others could say they'd do the same?
I think everyone can learn a lot from his class.
whitehound
29 Jun 2006, 06:09 PM
He's 43 and can't make another tournament so he's stepping aside to give his fellow referees a chance at the big stage, when he has the right to cling to his FIFA badge and be England's top referee for the next 2 years. The man could, pretty much at his own choice, referee at EURO 2008 and most certainly be considered for the Final. He's giving that chance to a fellow referee. How many others could say they'd do the same?
I think everyone can learn a lot from his class.
No he isnt.....he is quiting after a poor performance to get people off of his back. If he really wanted to give young guys a chance he could have done that a couple of weeks ago OR waited a month to retire so he isnt drawwing attention away or to himself..........come ON I feel sorry that he is upset with himself too. And I am sorry he is quiting but lets not get overly sanctimonious about this.
1) why announce retirement today?
2)why not let FIFA decide when he should no longer contribute
glennaldo_sf
29 Jun 2006, 06:10 PM
There is a section in there that is very interesting given what has happened with/to refs in the WC:
The first part, basically pointing out the error wasn't due to certain things, am I correct in implying that this means refs are reffing like they are not use to? Second, his tiredness, given the training they do and the testing they went through, what does this mean? Are they putting the refs on to many games? ie not enough teams there in the first place?
It's an interesting article. My feeling is that we will hear more over the next few weeks as refs finish up in the WC, especially the ones to old to make it back next time around.
Another reason to use video technology, or some sort of "4th official" who can help referees make the correct decisions. When some of the top officials in the game complain about fatigue and pressure - it is obvious that the pressure and decisions of the modern game is too much for one person. But that conservative fat @ss Sepp Blatter just cannot see it.