Poll OK to warn Pardew

The Premier League claims referee Graham Poll was not guilty of any wrongdoing when he warned Charlton Athletic boss Alan Pardew that Alexandre Song was close to being sent off.

Pardew was quick to praise Poll for giving him chance to substitute Song, who is on loan from Arsenal, during the Addicks's 0-0 draw with Reading at The Valley.

After Song had been cautioned for a rash challenge on Steve Sidwell during the first half, the Charlton boss asked the referee at half-time for a "signal" should the young Cameroon player walk the tightrope again.

Pardew claimed that he received such a signal and subsequently substituted the midfielder and a Premier League spokesman said such communication is "beneficial to the game":

The spokesman said: "Our view on it is more broadly the issue of referees' communication with players and management.

"It has got to be beneficial to the game that referees keep team captains and management aware of any issues."

Pardew said after seeing his men move a point clear of the Premiership's relegation trap door: "I went to see Graham Poll (at half-time) and I said to him 'I need to have some signal if it is getting close', and he sent me that signal, so Alex had to come off.

"He gave me a look - which more or less said it all. I said if he makes another challenge which you are unhappy about, I cannot do anything if it is a silly one, I know that - but if he is making silly ones and the next one is going to be it, then please let me know. I think that is within the rules of the game."

The Charlton boss added: "It was full credit to the referee, because that is the sort of thing which you need, how the game will work better. No-one wants to see a team go down to ten men.

"He did the right thing and if there was that communication and a better relationship between us and the referees, then we would have far less incidents on the pitch."

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