Monday, February 6th, 2012
JOHANNESBURG – Arjen Robben joined in the club of Dutch players of criticizing World Cup final referee Howard Webb being not a ‘world class’ referee and should have sent Carlos Puyol off.
Howard Webb, who issued nine yellow cards to the Oranje, two cards which resulted as defender John Heitinga being sent off in extra time. But the reaction outside the Dutch camp has supported Webb, with many taking the view the physical Dutch approach gave the English official little choice in his decisions.
But a contentious moment arrived late in the second half of normal time when Robben outpaced Puyol to get a clear run on goal, but the Barcelona defender pushed the laws of the game to the edge with his spoiling body check, forcing Robben into a heavy touch that allowed goalkeeper Iker Casillas to collect the ball at his feet just inside the box.
Robben said Webb had given advantage for what he believed was a certain foul and what would have been a second yellow card for Puyol, if not a straight red since he was the last man.
“When I got my second chance, the referee should have given us a free kick and Puyol a yellow card.”
“He gave the advantage, but there was none as I could hardly move and the goalkeeper was too close already. As a player, you always want to go on and especially ten minutes before time in a World Cup final when you are heading towards the goal. When you play in a World Cup final, you also need a world-class referee.”
Robben admitted an earlier missed chance, when Wesley Sniejder put him through one on one with Casillas only to see the Real Madrid keeper save his low finish with an outstretched foot, was a moment he would regret.
“When I missed my first chance it was simply my error. I was not patient enough and should have gone around him instead of a poor finish.”
Tags: Arjen Robben, Howard Webb, Netherlands, World Cup Final