Barwick stunned by Poll attack

Retiring referee Poll accused the FA of being "inherently weak" and slammed Barwick for undermining the role of officials by his feeble response in a row over a red card for Chelsea captain John Terry in Sportsmail's exclusive interview.

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Poll claims the FA's failure to take stern action against Terry over his post-match attack following Chelsea's defeat to Tottenham in November has led to him quitting at the age of 43, a year before he had originally planned.

Poll said: "The FA are inherently weak. We've been eroding the power of the referee for years and years.

"It's about the FA saying: 'We are the custodians of the game and we have to show the world of football that if you speak out against a referee you get punished and if you lie about a referee - my word you're going to get punished'.

"The Chelsea case, which ran from 5 November to 12 January, curtailed my career by one season. My credibility was stripped not by Chelsea trying it on but by the FA letting them try it on.

"My anger is 100 per cent at the FA not at Chelsea."

Poll claimed that Barwick did nothing more than "huff and puff" as he dodged the key issue of Terry accusing the referee of telling lies.

But the FA chief hit back today, saying: "I am very disappointed by these comments. I have always been fully supportive of both Graham Poll and referees in general.

"Improving respect towards our match officials has been one of my priority areas ever since I became chief executive. I have always said referees do a very difficult job objectively, professionally and very well.

"I did speak to Graham Poll at the time of the Tottenham- Chelsea Premier League game.

"I explained how the FA's disciplinary system worked even though I am not, understandably, directly involved in individual cases, and how we could not comment publicly while a case was ongoing to avoid prejudicing the outcome. I am extremely disappointed that Graham does not feel the system supported him.

"After all, in the case he has highlighted, John Terry was charged with improper conduct and fined £10,000 by an independent commission who did say, publicly, that they were disappointed that the integrity of a referee had been called into question.

"Finally, while I am very disappointed that Graham has chosen to air these views about the FA through the media, I would like to recognise his many years at the top level and his significant contribution to refereeing in this country.

"I, and everyone at the FA, remain committed to recruiting more referees, retaining and developing them and improving respect for the challenging and vital job they do."