Peter Crouch has been branded a cheat by FIFA.
And footballs world governing body instructed its referees to
punish him for fouling.
The amazing revelation has come from Englands former top official
Graham Poll.
Poll claimed that, before last summers World Cup finals in
Germany, FIFA refereeing chiefs singled out Englands 6ft 7in
striker and told officials to crack down on him.
Crouch is suspended for Saturdays 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. Hes 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 Englands warm-up games and it was pointed out the way
he used his arms. I tried to defend him, being English.
But Polls words went unheeded as Crouch was booked against
Paraguay and consistently cited for fouling during the
tournament.
Polls 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 Saturdays
match.
Players need to be aware that referees individually, or as a
referees team, can be tactical as well.