Graham Poll weekend reaction: Fulham should be charged and sanctioned by FA; Mitrovic HARRASED Kavanagh; Wolves were NOT hard done by; Conte was WRONG

Ex-referee Graham Poll thinks Fulham should be charged and sanctioned by the FA after disgraceful scenes in their FA Cup quarter-final loss against Manchester United.

GP: “Fulham FC should be charged and heavily sanctioned by the Football Association after disgraceful scenes at Old Trafford. Fulham were leading 1-0 at the time when everything got out of hand for them in the FA Cup quarter-final.

“All decisions were correct by Kavanagh which start with the Willian handball and subsequent red card, Marco Silva also deserved his marching orders and then Mitrovic likewise has no case to answer.

“Let’s be clear – the decision taken by referee Chris Kavanagh isn’t a difficult one and is not in doubt. Jaden Sancho rounded Bernd Leno and shot towards the goal. Replays show clearly that Willian then deliberately handles the ball to prevent a goal.

“Although he protested that it hit his chest, it was clear and obvious that it did in fact touch his arm. Kavanagh had the luxury of checking that fact using VAR and so KNOWS he is correct.”

Fulham manager Marco Silva was the root of the initial trouble and crossed a line

Graham Poll thinks Fulham manager Marco Silva was the cause of Sunday’s meltdown at Old Trafford which saw himself and Aleksandr Mitrovic sent off.

GP: “Fulham manager, Marco Silva, starts the disgraceful scenes by trying to impact on the decision whilst Kavanagh is reviewing the video and has to be sent off. Marco Silva knows the laws about interfering with an official during a VAR check and thus he crossed the line on this occasion.

“But his action makes it clear to his players that the referee is ‘fair game’. A red card for Willian and penalty for Manchester United are routine and simple consequences of the handball, this is never in doubt.”

Aleksandr Mitrovic harassed Chris Kavanagh, will the FA support their referees?

Graham Poll has called upon the FA to support their referees after Aleksandr Mitrovic grabbed at referee Chris Kavanagh following VAR’s penalty decision.

GP: “Aleksander Mitrovic completely loses his head and manhandles Kavanagh and continues to harass him after he is (again correctly) shown a red card. You can clearly see on the replays that Mitrovic gets in the face of referee Kavanagh, points his finger in his face and uses his right arm to manhandle the referee and therefore receive a red card.

“Scenes that we shouldn’t see on a football field that brought back memories of Roy Keane and his fellow Man Utd teammates chasing Andy D’urso and Paolo Di Canio pushing Paul Alcock.

“Now let’s see how the FA support their referees.”

Wolves were not hard done by, no apology needed from Howard Webb

Graham Poll believes Wolves were fairly treated in the 4-2 loss to Leeds United and referee Howard Webb does not owe an apology for his performance at Molineux.

GP: “Wolverhampton Wanderers were not ‘hard done by’ or unfairly treated and there is certainly no apology needed from Howard Webb after an absorbing match at Molineux.

“There were an unusually high number of big, important decisions for referee Michael Salisbury to make, assisted by VAR, and they did pretty well.”

Wolves penalty appeal not 100% clear and VAR cannot get involved

Graham Poll says that incidents such as Junior Firpo’s challenge on Nelsen Semedo inside the box cannot be awarded a penalty.

GP: “There was a clash between Junior Firpo and Nelsen Semedo at which Firpo made a genuine attempt to play the ball. After watching replays it looks like Firpo plays the ball and subsequently might catch Semedo.

“It is not 100% clear and as such the referee cannot award a penalty. With such situations VAR can not get involved, which is correct as we don’t want every situation re-refereed.”

Wolves will accept red cards and disciplinary action from FA

Graham Poll believes that following the hangover from Saturday’s defeat, Wolves will review the footage and accept the red cards for Matheus Nunes and Jonny Otto with further disciplinary action to come.

GP: “I fully expect Wolves to calm down today, review the video and accept the red cards and subsequent disciplinary action.

“The first is a shocking tackle by Jonny (Otto) on Leeds’ Luke Ayling. It’s over the top of the ball and studs landing on Ayling’s leg. It certainly endangers the safety of the opponent and is a clear red card. Salisbury really should have seen it ‘live’ but it is just the sort of situation that VAR was brought in for and the intervention ensured the correct decision was taken.

“There is no way to comment on the red card for Matheus Nunes as it was for comments made from the bench which we cannot hear. However, he certainly looked angry enough to speak inappropriately and why would any match official fabricate misconduct – they wouldn’t.”

VAR correct not to intervene for Rodrigo goal but should have shown a red to Craig Dawson

Graham Poll thinks VAR was correct to not intervene on the final goal of the game from Rodrigo but Craig Dawson should’ve been sent off.

GP: “There was a slight shirt pull on Adama Traore but he still has possession of the ball and at 3-2 down in stoppage time he shouldn’t stop and appeal, but strive to get the ball upfield and play to the whistle. To not award the foul is not a massive error and so VAR does not intervene, correctly again.

“It could have been worse for Wolves! Wolves were actually fortunate not to see red earlier in the match when Craig Dawson went in on Jack Harrison. Replays showed that a red card could have been justified for Dawson.”

Conte was completely wrong, should have aimed frustration at soft penalty decision

Graham Poll thinks that Antonio Conte was completely wrong for aiming his frustration at his players instead of the soft penalty decision.

GP: “Antonio Conte is a very successful and passionate manager. He was clearly angry at his team’s performance at Southampton. However, he is also very astute and is aware of the ‘chatter’ surrounding his future in charge of the north London team.

“He is getting his side in first rather than considering the mood of his players. That for me is completely wrong and Conte would have been better to aim his frustration at the incredibly soft penalty which cost Spurs a win.”