Source: Daily_Mail
GRAHAM POLL: Why refs must stand up to baiters like Craig Bellamy and Mark Noble
Welcome to former World Cup referee Graham Poll's exclusive online column... here every Monday throughout the season as theformer top referee assesses the major storiesand controversies. [LNB] Why are referees so slavish in their application of some laws, yet not others? Take shirt removal. [LNB]It's hardly a crime against humanity but you can guarantee a yellow card for a player showing off his torso after scoring a goal.[LNB] Red mist: Craig Bellamy gets his marching orders at Bolton[LNB] More from Graham Poll... GRAHAM POLL: Gallas' challenge on Gerrard WAS a penalty13/12/09 GRAHAM POLL: Divers are all foreign? No, it's a British disease13/12/09 GRAHAM POLL: You can't help but feel sympathy for shirtless Younes Kaboul13/12/09 Graham Poll: Cheating goalkeepers are real reason behind penalty misses 07/12/09 GRAHAM POLL: Why I was left with more questions than answers after the video trial at Manchester City's win over Chelsea07/12/09 Graham Poll: I'm sorry, Chelsea, but you have yourselves to blame06/12/09 GRAHAM POLL: Why video technology is the only way to go for FIFA02/12/09 GRAHAM POLL: Referees respect the fire of bitter derby battles26/11/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEAnd yet when faced with players screaming in their faces, yelling dissent at them, there seems a real reluctance from refs to show similar resolve to apply law. [LNB]This weekend saw two players cautioned for clear dissent, and yet due to actions later in the game, both cautions were undermined. I just hope that doesn't discourage refs from finally stepping up to the plate and acting when confronted by dissent. [LNB]The first cautions of both Manchester City's Craig Bellamy and West Ham's Mark Noble, both serial ref baiters, were absolutely correct. [LNB]But they stood out because the other refs on duty carried on accepting the protests that the Respect programme was supposed to eradicate last season. [LNB]I was no better when refereeing during my 329 Premier League games, believing that by tolerating the excesses of the stars I was somehow contributing to the entertainment - by empathising with the pressure they are undoubtedly under and therefore managing them somehow excused non application of law. It didn't and it took my retirement from active officiating for me to see the truth. [LNB]While applauding Mark Clattenburg and Lee Mason for some positive action against dissent, I have to acknowledge that Clattenburg was wrong to dismiss Bellamy, and Mason harsh at best in his treatment of Noble.[LNB]However, rather than focus on those second cautions I hope that thereferees' chiefs highlight the two cautions for dissent, show clipsfrom the last two weekends and ask the other referees to caution forclear dissent.[LNB] Silly: Mark Noble (far left) complains to referee Lee Mason[LNB]I don't know if it is because the big teams are not getting things all their own way or that poor refereeing standards are to blame for the increase in dissent but I do know that unless referees are stronger over the upcoming months, it will get worse. [LNB]Many laws are ignored every week: goalkeepers holding the ball for more than six seconds, wearing illegal kits and moving before penalty kicks are just a few examples.[LNB] Now referees need to see the damage dissent, if allowed to go unchecked, can do to the game at all levels. I had lunch with two former colleagues last week and we laughed at the suggestion that referees don't get what they deserve. [LNB]The truth is the opposite as they get exactly what they deserve but only if they allow it![LNB] GOOD WEEK FOR...Lee BowyerBowyer continues to drive Birmingham City's midfield with a developing maturity which must help him and his team. In a recent interview, he said: 'I've found that the nicer you are to referees, the nicer they are to you. I'm learning, even if it has come late.' Well done Lee, that's because they are human beings - now for others to follow suit.[LNB]BAD WEEK FOR...Richard WestWest is the assistant referee who, after missing a clear offside in the move that led to Wigan's late penalty, also failed to spot that Thomas Sorensen had moved forward off his line before the penalty had been taken. You could say the two wrongs cancelled themselves out but it doesn't work like that and two big mistakes usually mean an enforced rest.[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
