Spanish irked at choice of final ref
Fifa's choice of Englishman Howard Webb to take charge of Sunday's World Cup final has irked Spain as he was the man in charge of their opening loss to Switzerland, media reports noted on Friday.
"Bad news - Webb will referee the final," trumpeted sports daily
Marca, while AS sports daily described the choice of Webb as
"debatable", given that he had "made two mistakes" which cost Spain
against the Swiss, shock 1-0 winners over the reigning European
champions in their first group match.
Marca noted that Webb had not given what appeared to be a clear
penalty in favour of David Silva and then gave Gelson Fernandes'
goal despite more than a hint of offside.
Marca said it would thus be a "challenge" to win the match and
take the trophy back to Spain for the first time.
Webb brings back "bad memories for La Roja (Spain)," noted
Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo.
Webb, a 39-year-old Yorkshireman and a police sergeant, is
considered to be one of Europe's top referees.
He officiated in last May's Champions League final between
winners Inter Milan and Bayern Munich in Madrid.
