Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has
launched a scathing attack on Graham Poll, describing the former
Premier League referee as an 'embarrassment'. The broadside follows
Poll's comments regarding referee Phil Dowd's decision to send
off
Chelsea captain John Terry for
a tackle on
Everton's Leon Osman during the
0-0 draw at Goodison Park.
Speaking on Setanta Sports' Football Matters, Poll backed up
Howard Webb's
decision to send off Emmanuel Adebayor against
Liverpool - but it was his
analysis of Terry's straight red card that angered Wenger.
Poll, a former FIFA referee who retired in 2007, suggested
officials could be
influenced by the furore that comes with sending off the England
captain. 'For me it was embarrassing when you listen to that,'
Wenger said. 'They ask whether it was a sending-off or not. He says
you have to consider that you are sending off the captain of the
national team.
'What has that got to do with the rulebook? The rulebook doesn't
look at passports. When you listen to that it is embarrassing for
the referees. 'Is it a sending-off or not? Are you from England or
not from England? Are you 17 or 30? It has nothing to do with that.
'It is a big concern when you hear the national number one referee
talk like that.'
And Wenger was quick to admit that his faith in referees has
been tested by Poll's comments. 'I do not think (they are talking
reputations into account) but when I hear statements like that, it
makes you change your mind,' the Frenchman added.
Still reeling from Adebayor's dismissal following two yellow
card offences on Sunday, Wenger still feels his side were treated
harshly against Liverpool. 'I'm convinced that if we played 11 v 11
we would have won the game against Liverpool' Wenger added. 'And I
am still convinced after watching it again that it was the wrong
decision to give a second yellow card (to Adebayor). Some people do
not agree with that but I cannot see what Adebayor did wrong.'