No nonsense: Webb impressed with his handling of
Brazil v Chile
England's Howard Webb has been chosen to referee
Sunday's World Cup final.
Webb will be the first Englishman to referee the final since
Jack Taylor in 1974 and the first official to take charge of the
European Cup final and the World Cup final in the same year.
The 38-year-old policeman from Rotherham will be joined by his
assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey for the clash between
Spain and Holland at Johannesburg's Soccer City.
Chosen by FIFA's referees committee last night, Webb
has taken three matches in this World Cup so far, starting off with
Spain's shock defeat by Switzerland.
There was some unhappiness in Spain but Webb's team impressed
when Italy met Slovakia with Cann making the right call on a
disallowed equaliser from Fabio Quagliarella.
In the last-16 clash between Brazil and Chile, Mullarkey was
praised for his decision to allow Luis Fabiano's goal at a time
when Chile's defenders were claiming offside. Taylor was famous for
becoming the first referee in World Cup history to award a penalty
in a final.
In Munich 36 years ago he actually awarded two, with Franz
Beckenbauer pointing to the fact that he was 'an Englishman' when
he awarded the first of the two penalties to the Dutch for a foul
by Uli Hoeness on Johan Cruyff. Perhaps ominously for the Dutch,
the German hosts went on to win 2-1.
Team: Webb with his assistants Mike Mullarkey
(left) and Darren Cann (right)
At the European « sneijder in snub to fergie - Page 95
Championship two years ago Webb was sent home early by UEFA, having
allowed a first-half goal from Poland in a group match with Austria
that should have been disallowed for offside.
It was when Webb received death threats from Poland for
correctly awarding Austria a penalty in stoppage time that the real
controversy erupted, however.
Even Poland's then prime minister, Donald Tusk, said he wanted
to 'kill' Webb, forcing the referee to leave Austria in
disguise.
Taylor, now 80, praised Webb for his performances here in South
Africa. 'I've seen a lot of Howard over the years and I've felt
he's the best referee we have had for a long time. He's athletic,
very fit and in the prime of his career. He would be ideal.
Scandal: Uruguay's Suarez (left) stops Ghana
scoring with his hand
'I was in the 1966 World Cup squad and refereed in 1970
too, so by the time the World Cup in 1974 came round I was fairly
experienced. But it's a fantastic honour and Howard has done very
well to get it.'
Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the FA Premier League,
added: 'We see the hard work and professionalism of Howard Webb,
Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey week in, week out when they are
officiating in the Barclays Premier League. So it is great to see
their fantastic season - where they have already represented
English refereeing in the UEFA Champions League final - topped off
with the ultimate appointment, the FIFA World Cup final.
'Credit must to go the Professional Game Match Officials too.
The support, training and assessment processes they have in place
mean we benefit from having the best prepared officials. Clearly
this has been an advantage to Howard and his team.’