World Cup Officials

[TBM]

Must admit I've been pretty impressed with the refs so far in the tournament - sure a few yellow cards could have been reds but on the whole a decent performance from the officials.

On a related note, why hasn't our Howard done a game yet?!

[paultheroyal]

He is refereeing tonight ie Colombia vs Ivory Coast.

It appears by keeping him back that FIFA are most certainly going to use him all the way through now to the semi finals.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

On a related note, why hasn't our Howard done a game yet?!

Praps he's been doing his hair.

Agree on the standard being consistently decent, other than the opening game. Must admit I feared the worst after that one...

[Hoop Blah]

General performances have been pretty good yes, but there have been some howler decisions as well, and some iffy ones that you'd probably expect or argue they've got wrong/bottled.

[TBM]

He is refereeing tonight ie Colombia vs Ivory Coast.

It appears by keeping him back that FIFA are most certainly going to use him all the way through now to the semi finals.

How many games has he done? 2?

The ref tonight is on his 4th game

[Mr Angry]

Howard Webb is supposed to be likely to get the Brazil v Germany semi final; as he has no chance of getting the Final (let's hope it doesn't go to the Spanish ref of the Brazil v Colombia game!!) hopefully he won't allow Brazil to get away with a repeat of their kick rest from the quarter final.

[paultheroyal]

There are a lot of calls asking to break tradition and give him the final again as clearly the standout ref of tournament even after just 2 games.

Does appear that they are saving him for Brazil semi. Germans absolutely love him and will be delighted with appointment.

[Victor Meldrew]

Watching this World Cup is like turning the clock back 20 years.
It takes a bit of getting used to but seeing less officious refs is more enjoyable than what we see week-in, week-out in our game and in Spain and Italy.

[PieEater]

I think they are still as officious just not very card happy.

They still fall for contact means a foul, especially when the ball player falls over looking for it.

[soggy biscuit]

Graham Poll was just on the radio discussing the officials. When asked who could do the final he explained that FIFA have a list of nationalities who cant officiate certain countries games due to 'political' reasons.

an englishman can't officiate a match that Argentina are in, apparently.

[TBM]

Graham Poll was just on the radio discussing the officials. When asked who could do the final he explained that FIFA have a list of nationalities who cant officiate certain countries games due to 'political' reasons.

an englishman can't officiate a match that Argentina are in, apparently.

So he's going home then

Shocking he never got more games or at least a semi

[TFF]

Might get the 3rd/4th game

[TBM]

Might get the 3rd/4th game

True forgot bout that

[TBM]

Italian Nicola Rizzoli gets the final

[Avon Royal]

Graham Poll was just on the radio discussing the officials. When asked who could do the final he explained that FIFA have a list of nationalities who cant officiate certain countries games due to 'political' reasons.

an englishman can't officiate a match that Argentina are in, apparently.

Would be interesting to see which nationalities aren't allowed to officiate an England match. I'm guessing the other home nations for a start, but would hope that the French and Irish are also included.

[paultheroyal]

Webb regarded as best referee in world yet only officiated in 2 games!

[tulip]

Webb regarded as best referee in world yet only officiated in 2 games!

Maybe because he isn't prepared to influence the results as FIFA would like him to.