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HOWARD WEBB STATEMENT

Referee Howard Webb has released a statement on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Webb and his assistants Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann took charge of three matches in the group stages and had the honour of being selected for the final at Soccer City between Spain and the Netherlands.

Spain's 1-0 extra-time win proved a testing match for the officials, with numerous fouls and yellow card offences throughout the 120 minutes.

It was a marvellous honour to have been selected for the Tournament and we had a wonderful six weeks in South Africa," said Webb. "The people made us feel really welcome and we've hugely enjoyed the experience of being involved in such an incredible and unique event. We left the 2010 World Cup with amazing memories.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support of the public, the media, friends, colleagues, players and managers before and after the Final. It was a massive honour and a privilege to take charge of the World Cup Final. It is something every referee dreams of and to fulfil that dream was a remarkable feeling.

"Whatever the match, you always hope that the officials won't need to be heavily involved. However, we had to raise our profile in order to keep control.

"We don't feel that we had much choice except to manage the game in the way we did. We came away feeling satisfied that we'd done a tough job in difficult circumstances to the best of our abilities.

"From early on in the match we had to make decisions that were clear yellow cards. We tried to apply some common sense officiating given the magnitude of the occasion for both sides - advising players early on for some of their tackling, sending players away when they were surrounding the officials, and speaking to their senior colleagues to try and calm them down.

"It was an extremely challenging match to handle, but it would have been so for any referee. It is one of the toughest games we will ever be involved in and we feel that we worked hard to keep the focus on the football as much as possible.

"Mike and Darren made some terrific calls and I thought the decisions made by my team throughout the Tournament were excellent. It's because of the quality of the team work that we were appointed to the Final. We leave the Tournament pleased with how we performed, honoured to be given the Final and privileged to have met so many wonderful people in South Africa.

"We're all looking forward to a little bit of a rest and then coming back fresh for the new Barclays Premier League season."

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Referee Howard Webb and the Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder

Mike Riley, General Manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) also released a statement on Webb and his officials.

"Today PGMOL proudly welcomed back Howard Webb, Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann from South Africa," he said.

"Howard and his team have enjoyed an outstanding tournament. In their three matches leading up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final they were rightly recognised as the leading match officials of the tournament and built on an excellent performance in the UEFA Champions League Final.

"Their measured approach to managing players, allowing football to flourish, was matched by the quality and accuracy of their decision making. Their appointment to the Final was a fitting reward for their contribution to the tournament.

"The Final was without doubt one of the most difficult games Howard will have ever refereed. On far too many occasions during the match the players showed little respect for the Laws of the Game and showed scant regard for the spirit of the game. In spite of these challenges Howard and his team performed superbly, showing great resolve and courage in dealing with the many incidents in the game. The experience and expertise of the team was evident to all and when they reflect on their contribution they will do so with great satisfaction.

"We should be thankful that such a difficult encounter was controlled by officials whose composure in the face of great challenges safeguarded the integrity of FIFA's showpiece fixture.

"Howard, Mike and Darren went into this tournament representing all of their PGMOL colleagues and with the best wishes of all English referees. They can be proud that their performances were a credit to their colleagues, enhanced the reputation of English refereeing and will serve as an inspiration to aspiring match officials."

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