GRAHAM POLL- Why FIFA must act on handballs as Paul Scharner shows us that players will never change
23 Nov 2009 - 08:29:06
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.
Unsurprisingly, the blame for William Gallas' goal in France's controversial victory over Republic of Ireland has finally landed at the door of Martin Hansson, the excellent Swedish referee.
The fact that he was in an entirely credible position and had no chance of seeing Henry's sleight of hand is irrelevant - he's a ref and as such should always be blamed.
Naughty: Paul Scharner (left) handled the ball for his goal at Spurs
In truth, FIFA needs to look at how such incidents can be prevented in the future - bearing in mind that if the game is to be recognised and flow, a human will need to oversee events on the pitch.
While video evidence is the obvious answer and one which, if restricted to only being used when a referee requests a referral as he is relatively sure he has made a mistake, FIFA's stance against it means that there is no chance of it being introduced in the foreseeable future.
More from Graham Poll... GRAHAM POLL: Thierry Henry's handball is only the tip of the iceberg 20/11/09 Graham Poll: Cheats never prosper? Well, France certainly did in Paris19/11/09 GRAHAM POLL: Why Gary Neville needs to take off his red-tinted specs16/11/09 GRAHAM POLL: Play-off contenders aren't alone in bid to reach World Cup16/11/09 Graham Poll: The Official Line - Sir Alex Ferguson's verdict is a total sham12/11/09 GRAHAM POLL'S OFFICIAL LINE: Germany could hold the answer to combating divers like David Ngog11/11/09 GRAHAM POLL'S OFFICIAL LINE: Diving David Ngog should hang his head in shame10/11/09 GRAHAM POLL: Stop bleating United and Co - it's NOT always the ref's fault09/11/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEBut something needs to be done as these clear and obvious errors by referees are occurring more and more frequently. I am not talking about dubious decisions but situations which within seconds everyone knows are wrong.
The goals for Reading at Watford and Crystal Palace at Bristol City in recent memory are prime examples and both could have been solved by an alert extra official behind each goal, as used in the Europa League this season.
However, the roll-out planned for six officials is that, if UEFA feel the experiment is successful, then they would implement it in the Champions League next season and then the top division in domestic leagues in 2011-12.
Given Paul Scharner's goal for Wigan at Tottenham on Sunday, which again proved that players are prepared to go to any lengths to win, something is needed to help active officials as soon as possible.
Still on the subject of hand ball, I have been asked about the validity of Hull City's second goal against West Ham on Saturday.
Not for the first time, a Phil Brown team uses the tactic of signalling to their forwards where the free-kick will be played, either near or far post, by a player picking the ball up after referee has blown his whistle to signal for the set-piece to be taken.
Cool head: Mark Clattenburg waves away West Ham protests
This cannot be handball as the ball is not in play until it has been kicked. So when Jimmy Bullard picked the ball up, unless ref Mark Clattenburg deemed the act as unsporting or intending to waste time, he was correct to allow Stephen Hunt to take the free-kick.
It was great to see Clattenburg refereeing so well again after his season-long suspension - a clear red card for Bernard Mendy with the opponent Scott Parker was heading towards goal.
Thankfully no mention of last man or professional foul from the commentator. Progress at last.
GOOD WEEK FOR......erm, me!BAD WEEK FOR...Michael Owen Sad as it might sound, I was pleased that Wigan's goal stood against Tottenham despite the questionable validity of Paul Scharner's strike. I was the referee at Old Trafford when Manchester United beat Ipswich Town 9-0 in 1995 and Andy Cole scored five goals. I never thought it would be beaten as all too often when a team gets ahead by three or four they take the foot off the gas and save energy for their next match. So I am still the referee for the record score in Premier League history. I told you that was sad.
If Fabio Capello is to change his mind over his strikers for the World Cup squad then Owen needs to start scoring regularly. He was given a rare start by Sir Alex Ferguson on Saturday but again failed to score. I used to love refereeing him - although had to send him off at Old Trafford early in his career - as games with goals are always easier to referee. Despite claims that he occasionally went down too easily, I felt that his desire to score meant that he kept his feet if he had a chance to score.
Explore more:People:Martin Hansson, Michael Owen, Graham Poll, Paul Scharner, Jimmy Bullard, Alex Ferguson, Fabio Capello, WILLIAM GALLAS, Andy ColePlaces:Republic of Ireland, France
