POLL’S APART

Former England international Alan Shearer sponsors a sensory centre in the North East. . I I’ll ll be honest, as a young a reporterrepo I covered a story atba at one such place and ing bawled my eyes out n, afterwards when back in s theth sanctuary of my car. You see, I’d had no experienceex of anything like that. SeeingS the love and attentionatte being showered downdow upon kids with such desperatedespe disabilities hit me with a all the force of a cold shower. It’s m made me a more apprecia appreciative person. I’m convincedc Defoe and Shearer would say the same. Ther There is no risk – only reward – in their actions. And if more footballers could s step outside of their own little worldw a little more often and re realise just what real life is abo about surely they – and the gam game – would be all the be better for it. WHEN I’ve finished reading a sports autobiography, I ask myself one question: What do I think of this person?

Roy Keane’s book was full of bleating self-justification – but he was otherwise searingly honest in print.

Sir Alex Ferguson? Bit of a bully, but ruthlessly brilliant in his managerial decision-making.

Former ref Graham Poll? The big theme was annoyance with the authorities for failing to support him and other officials.

FIFA have now taken retrospective action against Lionel Messi for a foulmouthed tirade at an assistant referee. They have banned one of the world’s highest-profile players for four matches.

So how come, this week, Poll is moaning about that decision?