Source: Daily_Mail
Graham Poll: Time to follow rugby's lead in bid to stamp out thuggery in the game
ShareAs the football season draws to a close and the Select Committee continues to ask questions as to whether the FA is fit to run the game, this last week has revealed more than Lord Triesman or any number of 'old farts' - as Will Carling infamously called the blazers who run sport in this country - could ever do.[LNB]On-fieldofficials must always be human beings who have a feeling for the game they have been appointed to manage. They understand certain nuances in the games they officiate and often judge levels of involvement to perfection. [LNB]However, they are fallible and that imperfection is too easily exposed by camerasaffording us every angle, speed and perspective on the sport we watch.[LNB] Let-off: Robert Huth (left) was not punished for his elbow on Mario Balotelli[LNB] More from Graham Poll... Graham Poll: Huth should have seen red but FOUR officials missed it15/05/11 Graham Poll: Two teams played well at Old Trafford... Manchester United and the officials09/05/11 Graham Poll: Wilshere should have seen red for challenge on Pennant08/05/11 Graham Poll: A game this important could only have gone to one referee06/05/11 Graham Poll: Tumbling villain makes mockery of Guardiola's role model talk03/05/11 Graham Poll: Black mark for the man in the middle after three mistakes01/05/11 Graham Poll: Goal-line technology MUST happen after this latest farce01/05/11 Graham Poll delves into the the secret world of football's dark arts...28/04/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Most major sports other than football recognise this and have accepted and even embraced the introduction of technology to varying degrees.[LNB]There will never be complete agreement onvideo help for referees during matches but surely football must start to standardise post match, retrospective disciplinary action and this weekend once again highlighted why.[LNB]In rugby union, Chris Ashton was playing for Northampton when he was knocked senseless by Leicester's Manu Tuilagi. The violent, multi-punch attack was not seen clearly by the match officials who issued both Tuilagi and Ashton with yellow cards. [LNB]If that was a football match the FA would shrug their shoulders and blame FIFA, the corrupt rulers of the beautiful game. As it was rugby, everybody expects Tuilagi to be cited and most likely the yellow card to be rightly upgraded to a red and a lengthy ban imposed meaning the assailant will miss the Premiership final.[LNB]Now look at Wembley and the FA's most prestigious match played on Saturday. After just 15 minutes Stoke's Robert Huth smashed Mario Balotelli across the throat with violent intent in an off-the-ball assault and the match officials, understandably missed the offence. Will the FA charge Huth? Your guess is as good as the next man's. [LNB]Thisweekend Charlie Adam was free to score for Blackpool after he escaped censure for his dreadful stamp on Gareth Bale last Saturday. Steven Taylor played a full and active 90 minutes despite his elbow on Cameron Jerome. These incidents leave observers asking what is needed for the FAto charge? [LNB] Anger management: Wayne Rooney celebrates his crucial spot-kick at Blackburn[LNB]That cannot be acceptable. It should be open and transparent with regard to what it takes for a plater to be charged. For example, will Everton's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov escape a ban after a poor sending off by referee Anthony Taylor in the Toffees game at The Hawthorns?[LNB] Will Wayne Rooney escape censure for shouting 'f*** off' after converting Manchester United's crucial penalty at Ewood Park as they charged Danny Gabbidon for using the F-word on Twitter, as well as Chris Baird for a 'V' sign at CravenCottage? [LNB]Nobody knowsand that is ridiculous. It is also all the evidence the Select Committee need to tell them how well the FA are doing.[LNB]Good week for...Mike DeanEven better week for... Andy Halliday [LNB]The best referee on the Premier League this season. He was right on the money from the first minute in the Championship play-off semi final at Nottingham Forest on Thursday. Just 90 seconds in, Neil Taylor commited a dreadful studs up tackle and Dean did not hesitate to dismiss. Top quality refereeing.[LNB]The assistant referee at Ewood Park who correctly gave the penalty which Wayne Rooney converted to secure Manchester United their 19th title. Phil Dowd tried to ask Halliday quickly but players from both sides moved in to pressurise the assistant. Nemanja Vidic stood out as the real aggressor.[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Nemanja Vidic, Danny Gabbidon, Wayne Rooney, Robert Huth, Steven Taylor, Mike Dean, Mario Balotelli, Charlie Adam
