Howard Webb to mark his Premier League return in front of critic Harry Redknapp

Webb, whose controversial handling of the World Cup final provoked criticism from many quarters, had been on an extended post-World Cup break, which will end when he takes charge of Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur at West Bromwich Albion.
Recently, the former police officer admitted he should have sent off Holland's Nigel de Jong in the World Cup final for his first-half kung-fu kick on Spain's Xabi Alonso.


In April 2009, Webb apologised to Redknapp for making an error in awarding Manchester United a penalty against Spurs. United were trailing 2-0 but were thrown a lifeline when Webb pointed to the spot after goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was judged to have fouled Carrick. Television evidence suggested that the Spurs goalkeeper had touched the ball before the player and United went on to win the match 5-2.
Redknapp described the decision as a "terrible mistake" at the time but, Webb was honest enough to admit he may have made an error and apologised.
The Spurs manager accepted the apology, saying: "He is an honest man and an honest referee. He's a top referee. He made a ricket, you know, we all saw that, but what can you do now? It's done."
However, last September Redknapp criticised Webb again, this time after Chelsea visited White Hart Lane. Redknapp's complaint centred around Webb turning down appeals for a penalty after Ricardo Carvalho brought down Robbie Keane – appeals television replays subsequently proved to be merited.
Redknapp said: "It's a nailed-on penalty but Robbie tried to stay up. They don't want people diving, but if he felt he dived, why didn't he [Webb] give him a yellow or a red card? It's either a penalty or a red card for diving.
"We had a diabolical penalty decision at Old Trafford last season when we were 2-0 up and he gave it. He apologised for that."
Webb was heavily criticised by the Dutch after the World Cup final with one player, Arjen Robben, claiming he "wasn't up for the final".
And he could face a member of that Dutch side with Rafael van der Vaart, an extra-time substitute in Johannesburg, set to make his Spurs debut after joining on deadline day from Real Madrid.

we are fxxxxxd then. How this ref got to the world cup is beyond me. hes the top 4 ref. he always gives them stuff. didnt he rule out defoe goal aat liverpool last season. i remember jenas sayin after the man u game that he felt the ref couldnt wait to give that pen.

anyway we have a poor recored at west brom so this is guna be tough

Im all for goal line technology or third eye

That way we get fair result's and the correct discissions being made
especially crucial discissions like penalties game changing moments,
which in the long run will benefit the clubs and the game as a whole
by making it fair , and last but not least making the referree's job
far more easyier .

i cant see it ever happining in the prem. it would make it an even playing ground. remember carling cup final last season villa v man u when he should sent of vidik in 1st 10 minutes but bottled it because he would get the wraith of fergie.

we all know if it happend at the other end the villa player would of walked

If fifa decide to make Go with goal line technology i don't think theres a lot the Prem can do about it, remember the mendes goal that was atleast 3 foot over the line , the whole staduim saw it but the linemen bottled it ..crazy when you think about it because that season we missed out on the prem 4th spot by 1 point losing to the hammers away last game, if that goal at utd stood who knows where we would be now, i think that incident set us back 3 years .

World domination, I like the sound of that!!

Watch out World, the Yids are on the march