Geoff Hurst, the Hand of God and the Biggest Rows in World Football

Ex-referee and now fearless writer and football pundit, Graham Poll is no stranger to controversy. His latest book is an entertaining and provocative reappraisal of the major incidents in World and English football down the years -- from Geoff Hurst's goal in '66, through Maradona's 'Hand of God' to the infamous Battle of the Bridge in 2006. Graham Poll, England's highest profile referee of the last two decades, refereed over 400 Premiership games, involving more than 1.5 million spectators, and at two World Cups, placing him at the centre of some of the most controversial incidents in football. So what does Poll make of some of the biggest rows in English and World football down the years, how and why key decisions were made, and how would different outcomes have radically reshaped football history? In this follow-up book to Seeing Red, Poll's bestselling memoirs, we get an informative, frequently provocative but always entertaining romp through the pages of football history andthe major incidents that sent shockwaves through the game. Referee! revisits in startling clarity all those much talked about football moments that continue to be the topic of pub debate among football fans the world over -- and turns everything on its head. What was the real reason for the linesman giving Geoff Hurst's 'goal' in 1966 at Wembley? In the infamous Maradona 'Hand of God' game, why did the behaviour of certain England players influence the decision of the referee? How does Kim Milton Nielson, the official who red-carded David Beckham against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup, view the decision now? And why would Luis Garcia's goal that knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League not be given today? Framed with other fascinating football facts, personality profiles and colourful anecdotes, these stories and more -- including the big news from season 2008/09 -- provides a rich seam of material for Graham Poll, in his usual no-nonsense style, to set the topical football agenda and to enrich our knowledge and fascination for the beautiful game.