Graham Poll

Graham Poll, born on July twenty-ninth, nineteen sixty-three, is a distinguished former English football referee known for his extensive career in the Premier League. With an impressive twenty-six years of officiating experience, Poll became a prominent figure in English football, often entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the most high-stakes matches.

His final domestic appearance came on May twenty-eighth, two thousand seven, during the Championship play-off final between Derby County and West Bromwich Albion, marking the end of a remarkable journey that included a total of one thousand five hundred forty-four matches. Poll's expertise also led him to represent England at two World Cups and UEFA Euro two thousand, as well as officiating the prestigious UEFA Cup Final in two thousand five.

One of the most memorable moments of his career occurred during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where he officiated the match between Croatia and Australia. In a controversial decision, he cautioned Croatian defender Josip Šimunić three times before ultimately sending him off, a decision that led Poll to retire from refereeing international tournament finals shortly thereafter.

Despite this setback, Poll continued to officiate in the Premier League, Champions League, and various international matches. However, he chose not to allow himself to be nominated for any further tournament finals, feeling that he had already had his opportunity to shine on the world stage.