Martin O'Neill dismisses criticism from referee Graham Poll

Jan 3 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill has taken a verbal swipe at retired referee Graham Poll for accusing Villa’s players of pressurising officials during the penalty controversy at Hull City.

Writing in his national newspaper column, Poll suggested seven of O’Neill’s team influenced Steve Bennett to change his mind over his decision to award Hull a spot-kick.

Television replays have since proved Bennett eventually made the correct call as Villa winger Ashley Young did not handle the ball at the end of Tuesday’s match.

Hull have complained to the Football Association about how the decision was reached, but O’Neill insists his players were blameless and that justice was done.

“The right decision was made and Hull’s complaint may well be how it was reached,” said O’Neill.

“I don’t know anything about that, but I don’t accept for one minute that our players besieged the referee in a throwback to the days where people went after referees.