FA 'lost will' to defend refs - Poll - Sport in brief

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The controversial official has decided to quit, citing the FA's lack of support after a bust-up with Chelsea last season as a major factor in his decision. Coming after a disastrous World Cup for Poll - when he was castigated for failing to send off a player he had booked twice - the 43-year-old was livid at the lack of backing from the FA and chief executive Brian Barwick.

"The World Cup situation wounded me badly, but we patched that up and the (referees' body) PGMOL got me back refereeing and refereeing well again," Poll told the BBC's Inside Sport programme. "But the FA, by not supporting me, and therefore other referees, have made that wound impossible to repair."

And Poll slammed the FA under Barwick for being less determined to promote respect for referees.

He added: "When (former chief executive) Adam Crozier was in charge of the FA and there was a situation between Roy Keane and Andy D'urso, they called together some senior referees and managers and had a brainstorm to see how they could avoid it happening.

"There is no will at the FA any more to do that sort of thing, it's just 'they will be fine' - they take us for granted and you can't speak out.

"If you speak out you get in trouble."

Poll believes punishments meted out to players, managers and clubs for indiscretions against referees are often negligible and claims it is high time that more stringent action was taken.

He added: "Chelsea do what they do and other clubs have done what they've done because they are allowed to. If you see an unruly child you don't blame the child you blame the parent.

"In this instance the FA are the governing body, the custodians of the game, and it's their job to make sure their children behave themselves. If they are unruly they should bring them back into line."