# Graham Poll > English football referee **Wikidata**: [Q314352](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314352) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Poll) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/graham-poll ## Summary Graham Poll is an English football referee who officiated in the Premier League and FIFA international matches from 1986 to 2007. He is best known for his controversial performance during the 2006 FIFA World Cup match between Croatia and Australia, where he mistakenly issued three yellow cards to Croatian player Josip Šimunić before sending him off. ## Biography - Born: July 29, 1963 - Nationality: United Kingdom - Education: Not specified in source material - Known for: Premier League and FIFA referee, 2006 World Cup controversy - Employer(s): Football Association (FA), FIFA - Field(s): Association football refereeing ## Contributions Graham Poll served as a professional football referee for over two decades, officiating in the English Premier League from 1993 to 2007. He was selected to referee matches in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, including the controversial Croatia vs Australia group stage match in 2006 where he made a high-profile error by showing three yellow cards to the same player before issuing a red card. Poll also officiated in UEFA Champions League matches and major domestic cup finals in England. ## FAQs Where did Graham Poll referee? Graham Poll officiated in the English Premier League from 1993 to 2007, as well as FIFA international matches including World Cup games in 2002 and 2006, and UEFA Champions League matches. What was Graham Poll's most famous match? His most famous match was the 2006 FIFA World Cup group stage game between Croatia and Australia, where he mistakenly showed three yellow cards to Croatian player Josip Šimunić before sending him off. When did Graham Poll retire from refereeing? Graham Poll retired from professional refereeing in 2007 following the conclusion of the Premier League season. What controversy involved Graham Poll? The main controversy involved his performance in the 2006 World Cup match between Croatia and Australia, where he failed to send off Josip Šimunić after his second yellow card and instead showed him a third yellow before the red card. ## Why They Matter Graham Poll's career represents a significant chapter in English football refereeing history, spanning the Premier League's formative years and two World Cup tournaments. His high-profile error in the 2006 World Cup became a watershed moment for refereeing standards and the subsequent introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology. The incident highlighted the immense pressure on top-level referees and contributed to ongoing discussions about improving officiating accuracy in football. ## Notable For - Officiated in Premier League from 1993 to 2007 - Selected for 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments - Controversial three-yellow-card incident in 2006 World Cup - Refereed multiple FA Cup and League Cup finals - One of England's most experienced top-flight referees ## Body ### Early Career and Rise to Premier League Graham Poll began his refereeing career in 1986, working his way through the English football pyramid. He progressed through the lower leagues before being promoted to the Premier League list in 1993, where he would officiate for the next 14 seasons. During this period, he established himself as one of the league's most experienced and respected referees, taking charge of numerous high-profile matches involving the biggest clubs in English football. ### International Career and World Cup Selection Poll's consistent performances at the domestic level earned him international recognition from FIFA. He was selected as an official for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, where he refereed group stage matches. His performance in 2002 led to his selection again for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he was entrusted with more prominent fixtures, including the crucial Group F match between Croatia and Australia. ### The 2006 World Cup Controversy The Croatia vs Australia match on June 22, 2006, became the defining moment of Poll's career. In the 90th minute, he showed Croatian defender Josip Šimunić a second yellow card but failed to issue the mandatory red card, allowing him to remain on the field. Šimunić later received a third yellow card followed by a red card after the final whistle for dissent. The error sparked immediate controversy and dominated media coverage, with Poll later admitting the mistake and accepting full responsibility. This incident effectively ended his hopes of refereeing in future major international tournaments. ### Domestic Achievements Throughout his Premier League career, Poll officiated in numerous domestic cup finals. He was selected for the FA Cup final and the League Cup final multiple times, establishing himself as the Football Association's preferred referee for showpiece matches. His experience and authority on the field made him a natural choice for high-pressure games involving title contenders and traditional rivals. ### Post-Retirement Career Following his retirement from active refereeing in 2007, Poll transitioned into media work, becoming a columnist and commentator on refereeing matters. He has written extensively about the challenges facing modern referees and has been an advocate for technological assistance in decision-making. His experience and willingness to discuss controversial incidents have made him a respected voice in football punditry, particularly regarding officiating standards and the implementation of VAR. ### Legacy and Impact on Refereeing Poll's career, particularly the 2006 World Cup incident, contributed significantly to the evolution of refereeing standards in football. The controversy highlighted the need for better support systems for match officials and played a role in accelerating the development of video technology in football. His openness about his mistakes and subsequent advocacy for referee support has helped change the culture around discussing officiating errors, making it more acceptable for referees to acknowledge and learn from their mistakes publicly. ## References 1. [Interview: Former referee Graham Poll on his return to action at Hitchin Town. 2015](https://www.thecomet.net/sport/interview-former-referee-graham-poll-on-his-return-to-action-5310670) 2. Transfermarkt 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013