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FA investigates Cole ref comments FA investigates Cole ref comments
(10 minutes later)
The Football Association is looking into comments attributed to Ashley Cole over referee Graham Poll's display in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.The Football Association is looking into comments attributed to Ashley Cole over referee Graham Poll's display in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham.
Poll booked six Chelsea players, sent off John Terry and disallowed a Didier Drogba goal during Sunday's match.Poll booked six Chelsea players, sent off John Terry and disallowed a Didier Drogba goal during Sunday's match.
"We are communicating with the four match officials as well as Chelsea, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard regarding the claims," said an FA spokesman."We are communicating with the four match officials as well as Chelsea, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard regarding the claims," said an FA spokesman.
"The priority at this stage is to gather information.""The priority at this stage is to gather information."
Interview: Referees' chief Keith HackettInterview: Referees' chief Keith Hackett
Left-back Cole was one of the Chelsea players who were yellow-carded and he was quoted as saying: "With my booking, I said to him, 'I'm more than 10 yards. Why should I go back if I am more than 10 yards?' Left-back Cole was one of the Chelsea players who was yellow-carded and he was quoted as saying: "With my booking, I said to him, 'I'm more than 10 yards. Why should I go back if I am more than 10 yards?'
I have told Graham not to comment on this matter because it may be investigated by the football authorities Refs chief Keith Hackett It puts doubt in the public's mind about the integrity of one of my referees but it will be investigated Refs chief Keith Hackett
"And he said, 'Because I said so.' I said, 'But I' m more than 10 yards', and that was it. Yellow card. No warning or explanation. "And he said, 'Because I said so.' I said, 'But I'm more than 10 yards', and that was it. Yellow card. No warning or explanation.
"I'm not moaning, I'm really not but we really shouldn't lose a game like that."I'm not moaning, I'm really not but we really shouldn't lose a game like that.
"Once again we scored a goal that was fine. I've seen it on TV and once again the referee has robbed us because if we had gone to 2-0 then the game would have been dead.""Once again we scored a goal that was fine. I've seen it on TV and once again the referee has robbed us because if we had gone to 2-0 then the game would have been dead."
Cole believes that Chelsea, like his previous club Arsenal, are now being singled out by referees because of their success. Cole was quoted as saying that he believed that Chelsea, like his previous club Arsenal, are now being singled out by referees because of their success.
He added: "When I was at Arsenal and we started to win things, the referees started to question our discipline and give us yellow cards. I have come to Chelsea and it's exactly the same.He added: "When I was at Arsenal and we started to win things, the referees started to question our discipline and give us yellow cards. I have come to Chelsea and it's exactly the same.
"It's definitely to do with the team that's winning most. Chelsea are not a dirty team. It's crazy. We have to stick together, put this game behind us, look forward to the next one and win it.""It's definitely to do with the team that's winning most. Chelsea are not a dirty team. It's crazy. We have to stick together, put this game behind us, look forward to the next one and win it."
Referees' chief Keith Hackett will investigate Chelsea's claims that official Poll said they "needed to be taught a lesson" at Tottenham.Referees' chief Keith Hackett will investigate Chelsea's claims that official Poll said they "needed to be taught a lesson" at Tottenham.
606: DEBATE The disallowed goal and Terry's sending-off are clearly things Poll needs to explain P.A. 606: Have your say606: DEBATE The disallowed goal and Terry's sending-off are clearly things Poll needs to explain P.A. 606: Have your say
Newspaper reports alleged Poll made the remarks and suggested he told Chelsea: "Your discipline is out of order" Newspaper reports alleged Poll made the remarks and suggested he told Chelsea: "Your discipline is out of order".
Hackett told BBC Five Live: "I have very serious doubts that one of our most experienced and world-class refs would make that kind of comment."Hackett told BBC Five Live: "I have very serious doubts that one of our most experienced and world-class refs would make that kind of comment."
He said: "It is disappointing. It puts doubt in the public's mind about the integrity of one of my referees but it will be investigated." "It is disappointing. It puts doubt in the public's mind about the integrity of one of my referees but it will be investigated."
Hackett, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, also revealed that all the officials were on open microphones - and his initial inquiries led him to believe Poll had not made the comments.Hackett, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, also revealed that all the officials were on open microphones - and his initial inquiries led him to believe Poll had not made the comments.
He added: "The player who has made the comments should be aware that the referee, along with his assistant referees, were all wearing microphones.He added: "The player who has made the comments should be aware that the referee, along with his assistant referees, were all wearing microphones.
"My assessor can hear from before kick-off to the end what is being said. If anything untoward was said I will be able to discuss it with Graham's colleagues on the day."My assessor can hear from before kick-off to the end what is being said. If anything untoward was said I will be able to discuss it with Graham's colleagues on the day.
I am just really disappointed that it is my first time sent-off for Chelsea John TerryI am just really disappointed that it is my first time sent-off for Chelsea John Terry
"Already having spoken to one of his colleagues, who was listening, it has been flatly denied. "Already having spoken to one of his colleagues, who was listening, it has been flatly denied."
"I have told Graham not to comment on this matter because it may be investigated by the football authorities." Hackett has told Poll not to make a public comment about the match while the matter is being investigated.
Terry also added to the controversy by claiming Poll gave him two differing reasons for his dismissal.Terry also added to the controversy by claiming Poll gave him two differing reasons for his dismissal.
He said: "On the pitch, Graham Poll said to me the second yellow card was for the barge on Hossam Ghaly where I kept running.He said: "On the pitch, Graham Poll said to me the second yellow card was for the barge on Hossam Ghaly where I kept running.
"After the game he said it was for the fall when Ledley King and I fell. I am just really disappointed that it is my first time sent-off for Chelsea.""After the game he said it was for the fall when Ledley King and I fell. I am just really disappointed that it is my first time sent-off for Chelsea."