Source: Daily_Mail
Graham Poll: No way Jose, that was a refereeing masterclass in Milan
Whatever Jose Mourinho might say, we saw an excellent refereeing performance full of experience and control at the San Siro in midweek, as Manchester United drew with Inter Milan.[LNB] Luis Medina Cantalejo proved that a referee with a continental approach will not spoil a spectacle by awarding almost 40 free-kicks, but will control the tempo of the game.[LNB] [LNB]Difference of opinion: Referee Luis Medina Cantalejo (left) and Jose Mourinho[LNB]English referees try to allow a game to flow more by playing on after smaller fouls. This can lead to players seeking retribution with the pace building. Consequently, dangerous tackles are committed at high speed.[LNB] More from Graham Poll... GRAHAM POLL: Gunners move backfires as player power takes a hit[LNB]25/02/09 Graham Poll's Official Line: Don't take any liberties with referee in San Siro cauldron[LNB]23/02/09 Graham Poll: Now for something completely different in World Cup year[LNB]20/02/09 Graham Poll: We all love the FA Cup's extra edge [LNB]13/02/09 Graham Poll: You should know better, Steve[LNB]08/02/09 Graham Poll: Where are all the young referees, as old guard head for final whistle?[LNB]06/02/09 Graham Poll: Riley in the wrong - Lampard red card must be rescinded[LNB]01/02/09 Clattenburg's career could have been saved if he had been a full-time referee[LNB]30/01/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE[LNB] If you look at the majority of straight red-card challenges there is usually a less significant foul in the preceding 30 seconds which was either not detected or waved away by an English referee.[LNB] I advocated a 'safer refereeing' approach when addressing the national conference in Brighton in 2001, as a few more free-kicks are preferable to serious injuries which high-speed challenges can cause. Southern Mediterranean referees adopt that style and, consequently, Serie A and La Liga games produce an average of 25 per cent more freekicks.[LNB] Some argue crowds prefer the higher tempo but I didn't detect any frustration in the great atmosphere created by the sell-out crowd. My favourite game which I refereed was in the same stadium between AC Milan - the other 'home' side at the San Siro - and Barcelona.[LNB] Ground sharing in England is something that has always been dismissed. However, in Milan they have created a generic stadium for the two major city teams which is 'dressed' differently according to which team is playing at home.[LNB] When Inter are at home the ground is black and blue and only the appropriate sponsors are shown. When AC Milan are the hosts the stadium and the town turn red and black. For the derby the two sets of 'Ultra' fans keep their usual positions, as different ends are reserved for the two 'home-team' followers.[LNB] You might have noticed how well UEFA's marketing arm dress stadiums to ensure that only Champions League sponsors are on display. It is effective and not just a money-making exercise but also gives the stadium an identity - a house is not a home until it is decorated in the residents' choice of colours.[LNB] As Liverpool and Everton both desire new stadiums in the same city, maybe the credit crunch should point them towards the Milan model where reds and blues can co-habit with no loss of identity.[LNB]Poll's poserThe Inter substitute goalkeeper Toldo received a yellow card on Tuesday in the technical area, but who can the referee actually show a card to? 1. Only the players who are active on the field. 2. The players and any occupants of the technical areas. 3. Any of the named players and substitutes.[LNB]Did you see that?The pitches for Champions League matches are often cut and rolled to leave clear marks across the playing surface, which UEFA encourage, to help the assistant referees judge offside. When the lines are spaced two yards apart they also help referees in measuring the 10 yards at free-kicks and I would like to see this as standard practice in the Premier League.[LNB]The referee's clinicMany of you have emailed in following the controversial penalty awarded against Portsmouth's Glen Johnson at the Britannia Stadium last Saturday, asking me to clarify exactly where the arm ends when a referee is judging handball.[LNB]Use the seam around the armpit of a shirt. The sleeve covers the arm and a ball deliberately played by any part of the arm is judged as handball.[LNB]RespectKolo Toure showed scant respect for the referee's request to come on to the field for the start of the second half on Tuesday - and was correctly cautioned - due to a superstition that he has to be the last man entering the field. His time-keeping was not helped by the fact that domestic referees wait for all players to return for the second half when they should follow Claus Bo Larsen's fine example from the Emirates. [LNB] [LNB]
