Referee Webb wants spotlight to fall on players

PRETORIA - Howard Webb, the referee for Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands, wants to ensure that all the attention on the big day falls on the players.

“We hope that the attention of those at the stadium and others watching the game on television around the world will on the players because they are the main actors, and not on us the referees,” the English ref told a news conference Saturday.

“It’s not easy to be perfect and we do care when things go wrong on the pitch due to one big decision by a referee. Our ambition is therefore to take full control of the game.

“It’s therefore the ultimate honour for us to handle the final. We worked hard to be here, added to an element of good fortune, like every other thing in life.”

Webb, who turns 39 Wednesday, will be assisted Sunday by compatriots Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey.

“This was the result of 20 years of hard work. Mike and I were very emotional when we heard Howard’s name mentioned for the final match. It was a blur for a few seconds. But now we feel ready and are best prepared ever for this match,” said Cann.

Added Mullarkey: “I watched the 2006 one on television and did not picture myself being part of the next World Cup final. It’s an incredible achievement and we will make the best of it.”

Webb dismissed suggestions that some refereeing decisions in South Africa went a long way in deciding the final outcome of some matches.

“There have not been so many mistakes in the 62 matches so far played and I’m not sure those few mistakes affected any of the final results because the two best performing teams at this World Cup will play the final,” he said.

“The vast majority of decisions by referees have been very sound and very correct,” said Webb, who disclosed that his preparation for the final will include a visit to the match venue, Soccer City Stadium, before the match.

Former police sergeant Webb was also in charge of this year’s UEFA Champions League final between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich in May, but said that final does not compare with being in the centre of a World Cup final.

“This is better than the Champions League final because a World Cup final is only played every four years,” he said.

Jack Taylor was the last Englishman to officiate a World Cup final 36 years ago and Webb said he is also proud to fly his country’s flag at the crowning match of world football’s showpiece event.

“We were all disappointed that England did not progress far in the competition, but the average fan will take some comfort that the country will be represented in the final by us,” he said.