Referee Graham Poll has denied reports he told Chelsea's players they "needed to be taught a lesson" during Sunday's stormy Premiership clash against Tottenham.

The champions lost 2-1 at White Hart Lane in a match which saw Poll send off their captain John Terry along with showing six other members of the side yellow cards.

And newspaper reports today allege Poll also told Chelsea: "Your discipline is out of order."

But a source at the Professional Games Match Officials organisation - which represents referees - told BBC Five Live Sport that Poll rejects the claim.

Referees' chief Keith Hackett has also entered the row by voicing his disappointment at Ashley Cole's remarks concerning Poll.

Hackett has discussed the matter with Poll and an assessor who heard via microphone all exchanges between officials and players in Chelsea's controversial defeat.

He has also expressed "very serious doubts" about the likelihood of Poll making some of the comments attributed to him by Cole.  PA