Poll backs help for linesmen

GRAHAM POLL has endorsed the work of Dr Werner Helsen, following a report that the sports scientist has been called in to help assistant referees in the Barclays Premier League.

After a series of contentious decisions this season, Helsen was asked to instruct officials how to deal with the offside law.

Former Premier League referee Poll has backed the work of the Belgian fitness expert who was used by UEFA to help officials prepare for major tournaments.

“His studies on fitness requirements have been adopted by FIFA and UEFA to become known as the Werner Helsen test,” he said yesterday. “And he’s been in charge of the training of match officials at all major championships since 2000.

“Werner convinces you that 95% of errors are made because of poor positioning rather than poor judgment. You only need to be half a yard out to get a decision wrong. He puts together an appropriate fitness plan.

“In the case of his test, you have to run 150 metres in 30 seconds, then recover by doing 50m in the same time — and repeat the schedule 20 times. He also specialises in changes of direction.”