Premiership ref Graham Poll has defended his decision to let Thierry Henry's controversial free-kick stand in yesterday''s top-of-the-table clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Henry scored from a quickly-taken set-piece which left Chelsea fuming, with boss Jose Mourinho saying the 2-2 final result "wasn't fair" because of the decision.
Poll insisted the whistle does not need to be blown before a quick free-kick can be taken.
"The whistle doesn't need to be blown. I asked Henry 'do you want a wall?'. He said 'can I take it please?' He was very polite. I said 'yes'," he reported.
"I deal with the laws of the game; I deal with fact. I gave the signal for him to take it, and that's what he did.
"The same thing happened when I refereed Chelsea against West Ham in an FA Cup replay two years ago - when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored - and I don't remember them complaining about that."
Explaning the rules, Poll added: "First you have to deal with the principle of a free-kick. If the attacking team are fouled then it is they who hold the advantage.
"With a free-kick around the penalty area, we always ask the players whether they want it quick or slow.
"This is their window of opportunity to surprise the defence."
Henry, who scored in similar fashion against Aston Villa last season, took his "opportunity" to great effect to put Arsenal 2-1 up just before the half-hour mark.
PA