The Rational Ref | Character of Howard Webb shines through when it counts
Much-maligned English referee was spot on with his decisions in a key World Cup play-off match
Individuals under the spotlight usually have a reputation, but what should truly shine through is character. We saw this during the Sweden and Portugal second-leg play-off World Cup qualifier with a feisty Portuguese water dog, conceited Swedish Norse god and a tough thick-skinned British bulldog.
No offence but I meant, of course, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic and top English referee Howard Webb respectively, and not their inflated and somewhat tarnished reputations.
Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic are perhaps the top two European players and their reputations precede them. Their coaches, teammates and supporters all sing their praises and everyone apparently considers the World Cup in Brazil next year to be a poorer event without either one of them.
In the first leg, these two soccer "gods" failed to enhance their reputations, although Ronaldo scored the solitary goal during a dull match. Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli officiated, although the media paid scant attention to him.
Webb's reputation precedes him, and the EPL must take the brunt of the responsibility
In contrast, the media focused on Webb for the second leg. Sweden claimed Webb would permit them to tackle harder and be more physical without fear of incurring yellow cards. They said Webb would punish tricky players such as Ronaldo for diving and other antics.
Webb is best known for the 2010 World Cup final where he missed issuing a red card to Holland's Nigel De Jong for a kung-fu kick on Spain's Xabi Alonso, which led to the Yorkshire police sergeant gaining a reputation for being lenient and holding back on issuing cards.