Graham Poll Should Be Banned

Last updated : 13 April 2003 By @blades_mad1889

Graham Poll
Arsenal won 1-0 at Old Trafford through Freddie Ljungberg's first-half strike but there was controversy about the build-up. First Sol Campbell appeared to foul Wayne Allison without being penalised, then referee Poll collided with Michael Tonge as he tried to intercept.

Warnock was furious with Poll's performance and said: "I think he should be banned. I just cannot accept that they should go on to the next game without being punished when they make such unbelievable errors and nothing is said, it's just soul destroying."

He added: "It's my pet subject referees, I am disappointed with refs. I shouldn't say what I feel but he was their best midfielder in the move for their goal. He loved every minute of it, he smiled so much he obviously enjoyed that performance.

"We can't do it all. We need help from other people. There was no justice. We worked hard without the help of the ref. It was an absolute disgrace.

"There should be some recourse and I do think referees should be punished by missing games or weeks and made to feel hurt because that's how I feel."

Warnock waited for an hour outside the door of Poll's dressing room to demand an explanation before the match official eventually allowed him in to make his point. He added: "It was a foul on Wayne. I have been into see Graham and said there were seven or eight others the same which he gave. The consistency today wasn't good.

"Then he said Tonge ran into him but I didn't see it like that. He could have stopped the game - I thought he could have stood still and avoided the collision with Tonge. But I suppose he made honest mistakes - it's the whole system that's wrong."

But Warnock was delighted with his players' spirit. He added: "I feel really proud of the players - they gave everything, took the game to Arsenal, were not afraid of them and worked as hard as anyone could work.

"We have pitted ourselves against one of the two top teams in the country. Sheffield United Football Club was the winner. The fans made it a tremendous occasion, it has brought us together, and this was our Cup final."