Source: Daily_Mail
Graham Poll: William Gallas's tackle on Mark Davies was a shocker, so why didn't FA act?
Any notion that a referee would go into a match with preconceived ideas and not expect a cultured Arsenal player to go over the top on a Bolton bruiser is simply farcical.[LNB] Referees make decisions based on what they see - or, in the case of Alan Wiley at The Emirates on Wednesday night, what they think they see.[LNB] Wiley saw nothing untoward in William Gallas's tackle on Mark Davies even though he was only 10 yards away, with a clear sightline of this horrendous challenge. [LNB] [LNB]Horrendous challenge: But ref Wiley saw nothing untoward in WilliamGallas's tackle on Mark Davies[LNB]I have been in a similar position myself. On December 22, 2002 duringthe goalless Merseyside derby draw at Anfield, I completely missedSteven Gerrard's challenge on Gary Naysmith.[LNB] More from Graham Poll... Graham Poll: Mike Dean was wrong to award Manchester City their penalty20/01/10 GRAHAM POLL: Our World Cup ref proves his class but Rafa is left fuming18/01/10 GRAHAM POLL: Look again, Fergie! Why Manchester United's referee baiter Darren Fletcher deserved to be sent off11/01/10 Graham Poll's verdict on record-breaking referee Michael Oliver07/01/10 Graham Poll: Forget that rant by Sir Alex...referee Chris Foy got it spot on04/01/10 GRAHAM POLL: Another day of shame for the menace that is El-Hadji Diouf04/01/10 Graham Poll: The offside rule explained for Hansen, McCarthy and the rest of us29/12/09 GRAHAM POLL: Why the fourth official was right to sort Wolves' yellow peril27/12/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEI asked the FA to look at video evidence and as a result Gerrard was charged and suspended for three games.[LNB] I am surprised the FA appear to have deemed no action necessary in this case because a look at footage of the incident makes it abundantly clear to most that this was a bad foul.[LNB] There is no requirement for players to stop play, that is purely in the hands of the referee. He should only stop play in the event of an injury if he believes it to be serious. [LNB]Because of the nature of head injuries, referees tend to stop play immediately. But they are instructed to wait for natural stoppages to allow for the treatment of non-serious - i.e., non-head - injuries.[LNB] Wiley appeared to see a coming together when Gallas and Davies challenged for the ball. He obviously saw nothing wrong and thought there was no reason to stop play.[LNB] Arsenal, in possession of the ball, went on the attack and their forward motion meant their players would not have looked back and seen Davies prostrate on the turf.[LNB] No blame should therefore attach to the Gunners for failing to kick the ball out to allow treatment. [LNB] [LNB]
