TheFA.com: There appears to be a lot of talk about changes in the laws of the game. Can you clarify the situation?

Graham Poll: Yes - there have been no changes in the laws of the game which is an unusual and nice position. There has been a change in emphasis and interpretation, however.

TheFA.com: What does that mean exactly?

Graham Poll: Well there are three main areas we are looking at with the aim of making football a better product and improving the spirit within the game.

First is the issue of simulation or, as the media like to call it, diving. There is no place for this and while we know we are not going to stop it completely we are looking at this because we believe the game is better without it.

Then there is the issue of shirt pulling. This is an area we are watching closely. Normally it starts with holding, then someone might pulls someone's shirt, then the other player can retaliate and lash out which obviously can raises a range of further issues.

The third area we are looking at the use of foul and abusive language. It is a PFA initiative and we are happy to support it. We are all looking to create a positive image for the game and bad language has no part to play in that. We want people to be positive about the game and be entertained.

TheFA.com: How do you feel about being asked to look at incidents in the game again via video evidence?

Graham Poll: I have rescinded decisions of my own volition. Sometimes you have a gut feeling. I have too accept that I am not right every time. But the decision should be purely be down to the referees, who are honest and have integrity. I do not feel it is right to put referees under pressure to change their minds by independent review panels.

 
TheFA.com: What are relations like between referees and managers and their players?

Graham Poll: Some managers chat before the game while others I never see. If there is a problem during the game then in the following week I will contact the manager to discuss it. It is something I do. Sometimes I have to accept that the manager is right and I ring him up not to change his mind but to ask him to try and see it from my point of view even if I am wrong. Relations are better than many people may think. Before I went to the World Cup I had four managers ringing me up wishing me well and they were from clubs that you might not imagine would do so. That is a side of the game that you do not see.

TheFA.com: You are now professional. How has it changed for you?

Graham Poll: It is much more difficult now. Players and managers used to say you make decisions and then go back to your normal day job. They cannot say that anymore because if we are not good enough we get taken off the list and we lose our position. It is our job now. The scrutiny on everyone in the game is relentless and that creates pressure. At one time you never recognised a referee at all. Now we are in the media and named if we are seen as having done something wrong. We have not asked for it. It has been thrust upon us. Some like it more than others. Personally I like to do the game, finish and then go home. Before I had a very responsible and pressured job Monday to Friday. Then when I refereed on a Saturday it was a welcome release. That has changed and that is one of the differences for me. I still enjoy it very much but it is not quite as enjoyable.

TheFA.com: It is high pressure. How do you cope when 60,000 fans , not to mention players and managers questioning your decisions all the time?

Graham Poll: Well we all have strategies for dealing with it. Mainly you just do not get involved with the crowd. If players get involved with the crowd then they have lost it and referees are no different.

TheFA.com: What personal targets have you set for yourself this season?

Graham Poll: Mainly to maintain the standards of the last two years which I have been pleased with. Domestically I have done an FA Cup Final and a Charity Shield and since you can only do each of those once, I cannot achieve any more in terms of domestic finals. Abroad I have done two European semi-finals so having a final would be a target. I went to the World Cup this year and my target now is Euro 2004.

TheFA.com: Was the World Cup the pinnacle of your career?

Graham Poll: The FA Cup in 2000 was a major highlight and going to the World Cup was as well. Like a player you are going where the top referees in the world will appear and that is special.

Graham Poll was talking to Lawrie Madden