Graham Poll: Fifa singled out Crouch
What a disgrace this is, I never thought I would have heard another ref. say something like this. Whoever gave these instructions should be sacked.
What a disgrace this is, I never thought I would have heard another ref. say something like this. Whoever gave these instructions should be sacked.
Former referee Graham Poll has revealed that Fifa instructed its referees to punish Peter Crouch for fouling.
Poll claimed that before the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, Fifa refereeing chiefs singled out the 6ft 7in England striker and told officials to crack down on him.
Crouch will miss Saturday's vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel through suspension after picking up two cautions in just five international matches this season.
In contrast, the forward received only two yellow cards in 29 appearances for Liverpool last term and Poll may have finally provided an explanation why.
Marked man
"At the World Cup last year, we were shown videos of England games," Poll said in The ***.
"The head of refereeing at Fifa said, 'Look at this big fella Crouch. He's a real pain and getting away with too much. We need to mark him as a player we need to look out for'.
"We watched England's warm-up games and it was pointed out the way he used his arms. I tried to defend him, being English."
Crouch was subsequently booked against Paraguay and consistently cited for fouling during the tournament.
Warning
Former Premier League official Poll also admitted that the guidelines given to referees by their bosses can influence their decisions as he issued a warning to players.
Speaking on Radio Five Live Poll added: "You have to ask yourself as a ref if you are looking out for him all the time or only when he has done something that draws your attention.
"To prepare is fine but to prejudge is not. And, lo and behold, Crouch did get booked in Germany.
"He has been picking up cautions since and is out of Saturday's match.
"Players need to be aware that referees individually, or as a referee's team, can be tactical as well."
Poll claimed that before the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, Fifa refereeing chiefs singled out the 6ft 7in England striker and told officials to crack down on him.
Crouch will miss Saturday's vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel through suspension after picking up two cautions in just five international matches this season.
In contrast, the forward received only two yellow cards in 29 appearances for Liverpool last term and Poll may have finally provided an explanation why.
Marked man
"At the World Cup last year, we were shown videos of England games," Poll said in The ***.
"The head of refereeing at Fifa said, 'Look at this big fella Crouch. He's a real pain and getting away with too much. We need to mark him as a player we need to look out for'.
"We watched England's warm-up games and it was pointed out the way he used his arms. I tried to defend him, being English."
Crouch was subsequently booked against Paraguay and consistently cited for fouling during the tournament.
Warning
Former Premier League official Poll also admitted that the guidelines given to referees by their bosses can influence their decisions as he issued a warning to players.
Speaking on Radio Five Live Poll added: "You have to ask yourself as a ref if you are looking out for him all the time or only when he has done something that draws your attention.
"To prepare is fine but to prejudge is not. And, lo and behold, Crouch did get booked in Germany.
"He has been picking up cautions since and is out of Saturday's match.
"Players need to be aware that referees individually, or as a referee's team, can be tactical as well."
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