Ndidi’s Dive: Former Ref Graham Poll Asserts Red Card Was Deserved

In a recent analysis for the Daily Mail, renowned former English Premier League referee Graham Poll weighed in on the controversial incident involving Wilfred Ndidi during Leicester City’s 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace. Poll opined that the Super Eagles midfielder deserved to be sent off for an apparent dive, a sentiment not shared in a similar incident with West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini.

Clocking 21 last Saturday, Ndidi received his second yellow card from referee Martin Atkinson in the 61st minute with Crystal Palace leading 2-0. Poll, acknowledged as one of the premier English referees of the last 25 years by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), emphasized that the decision not to penalize Lanzini was correct.

While describing Lanzini’s action as “a bit of a dive, but not an outrageous dive deserving of an FA charge,” Poll highlighted the complexity of refereeing decisions in such scenarios. Drawing on his vast experience, Poll expressed understanding for Mark Hughes’ frustration over the incident involving Lanzini, who skillfully anticipated a tackle from Erik Pieters.

“Leicester’s Wilfried Ndidi took an obvious dive, and it was an easy decision for Martin Atkinson,” Poll asserted. In contrast, he noted that Lanzini’s actions were distinct, describing how the player “draws a tackle, expects the contact from Erik Pieters, who shapes to challenge and goes to ground but doesn’t follow through.” Poll acknowledged the modern game’s nuances, citing players’ actions as a measure to avoid injury.

The debate over diving in football continues, with Poll’s insights adding a layer of analysis to the ongoing conversation.