Poll was sent home early from the World Cup after he showed Croatia's Josip Simunic three yellow cards before finally sending him off during a 2-2 Group F draw with Australia.

Poll no longer wants to be considered to take charge of matches at major competitions and told Sky Sports News: "It's time for another English referee to have a go."

The Tring-based official accepted full responsibility for his mistake and said: "Basically, inexcusably, I made an error in law.

"There can be no dispute. It wasn't caused by a FIFA directive, it wasn't caused by me being asked to referee differently to in the Premier League.

"The others in my team were absolutely clear, however. The laws in the game are very specific. A referee takes responsibility for actions on the field of play.

"I was referee that evening, it was my error and the buck stops with me."

He denied there can been any outside influence on his decision and added: "It's not carrying the can, it's being honest. I've had a week to reflect. I've had the first two nights completely sleepless, it's been something that has hurt me deeply.

"It's about being open and saying to people I got it wrong, I'm sorry and it's time to move on."

Poll, who had been a mooted candidate for refereeing the final after 26 unblemished years as the man in the middle, claimed that FIFA and other referees had been supportive of him following his blunder, with FIFA president Sepp Blatter personally asking him to reconsider.

Poll added he will return to English Premiership refereeing next season.