But Poll claims leading officials would accept their decisions being adjusted in the case of a mistake.

The former FIFA official, who refereed games at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, believes the world governing body's stance on reviewing incidents after matches meant the Football Association were always unlikely to act against Rooney.

The Manchester United striker was seen on television replays swiping McCarthy on the back of his head after the midfielder had appeared set to block his run during Saturday's Premier League match.

Referee Mark Clattenburg awarded a free-kick and, after contacting the official today, the FA have been told he feels he administered the appropriate action.

Poll told BBC Radio Five Live: "If Mark Clattenburg had sat there watching Match of the Day and gone, 'Oh my goodness, I've got that horribly wrong, let me write to the FA, let me put this in my report that I'd like them to look at the video because I think I'm mistaken', they would have ignored it anyway."

He added: "Referees are encouraged not to re-referee incidents, because it's FIFA's belief that that shouldn't happen."

Clattenburg had a peripheral view of the incident, as he was following the ball.

Poll said: "Referees I think would accept if they are wrong - and I think in this incident Mark was wrong - if it was corrected for them, not the result but the disciplinary punishment for the player."

Clattenburg's actions have been backed by Professional Game Match Officials general manager Mike Riley, another former top referee.

"Mike's job is to protect his referees, same as Alex (Ferguson)'s job is to protect his Manchester United players," Poll said.

"I used to go along with all that when I was refereeing because I thought it was great that we were protected.

"I now live in a different world, a real world, and what I want is a natural justice, a right result to come out of situations.

"We now have the opportunity in the age we live in to correct some of the wrongs, when they're clearly wrong, using video technology and it baffles me as to why we don't do that."

Poll acknowledged incidents in matches often look distinctly different to match officials when they are shown replays.

He said: "Sometimes it's baffling when you see an incident (played) back and it's completely different. You think, 'That's not the same incident'."

Poll added: "The irony is the assessor, who is Mike Reid from Birmingham, has to watch a video afterwards and assess Mark Clattenburg on the accuracy of his decision-making using video technology.

"Clattenburg could still be punished for getting it wrong. If Mike Reid thinks that's a red card he'll mark it down."