Poll should be back not abused - former ref

Former top referee Graham Barber believes Graham Poll has not had enough support from footballing authorities in the controversy over his recent performances.

Poll sent off England captain John Terry last weekend, and has been heavily criticised over his handling of Chelsea’s defeat at Tottenham.

He also sent off Everton’s James McFadden, claiming the Scot called him a cheat.

But Barber believes it is taking the Football Association too long to back the country’s top official.

Barber, speaking on BBC Five Live’s Sportsweek programme, said: “Graham is not getting the support from the football authorities in all this. The FA’s compliance department is far too slow to react.

“The referee is clearly told these days that if he is surrounded by a number of players and he feels threatened that should be reported to the FA.

“I believe that happened last weekend at White Hart Lane and no action has been taken. How the compliance department can get inside a referee’s head to decide whether he felt intimidated or threatened is beyond me.

“We did not had any real statement from the authorities until Friday. By that time we’d had four or five days of discussion on what was happening in the game.”

He added: “Graham is in a no-win situation. Sir Alex Ferguson alluded to this recently by saying players are almost expected to be cocky and confident and people praise that as a extraordinary show of ability.

“As a referee you walk a tightrope, of being either over-confident or not strong enough. Graham is a very strong character and a big personality.

“And if you ask players and managers who they would want to referee their big, important matches in the Premier League they would name Graham as one of just a few they’d want.”

Barber believes Poll was right to act against McFadden, who insists he did not call the official a cheat but admits to swearing.

Barber said: “The law is quite clear, and has been changed to call it insulting behaviour, so referees act.

“Players are under a lot of pressure, but the majority of players and referees know people are frustrated and under pressure but there is always a line in the sand that you do not step over.

“What is important is the way the words are delivered. Industrial language is part of society these days but swearing on the field of play is categorically a dismissal offence.”