Foul or fair? Peter Crouch against Paraguay at
the World Cup last year
Peter Crouch has been branded a cheat by FIFA. And
football's world governing body even instructed its referees to
punish him for fouling. The amazing revelation has come from
England's former top official Graham Poll. Poll claimed that,
before last summer's World Cup finals in Germany, FIFA refereeing
chiefs singled out England's 6ft 7in striker and told officials to
crack down on him. Crouch is suspended for Saturday's crunch Euro
2008 qualifier with Israel, having picked up two cautions in just
five international matches this season.
The difference between that figure and his record for Liverpool is
marked he received only two yellow cards in 49 appearances last
term and Poll may have provided a reason why. He said: "At the
World Cup last year, we were shown videos of England games. "The
head of refereeing at FIFA said, 'Look at this big fella Crouch.
He's a real pain and getting away with too much. We need to mark
him as a player we need to look out for'. "We watched England's
warm-up games and it was pointed out the way he used his arms. I
tried to defend him, being English."
But Poll's words went unheeded as Crouch was booked against
Paraguay and consistently cited for fouling during the tournament.
Poll's revelation will stun the FA, who may now believe referees
were instructed to penalise the England team before a ball was even
kicked. The ex-Premier League ref from Tring admitted officials can
be influenced by the guidelines given to them by their
bosses.
Speaking on Radio Five Live, Poll added: "You have to ask yourself
as a ref if you are looking out for him all the time or only when
he has done something that draws your attention. "To prepare is
fine but to pre-judge is not. And, low and behold, Crouch did get
booked in Germany. "He has been picking up cautions since and is
out of Saturday's match. "Players need to be aware that referees
individually, or as a referee's team, can be tactical as
well."
