Howard Webb became the first English referee to take charge of a World Cup final in 36 years when he oversaw Spain and the Netherlands in 2010.
What was meant to be the highlight of Webb’s career turned into a nightmare with Netherlands’ aggressive tactics forcing Webb to show 14 yellow cards, including two to Johnny Heitinga.
Criticism of Webb came in droves. The majority was focused on his decision not to send off Nigel de Jong for a chest-high challenge on Xabi Alonso.
Webb was experienced, a well-known official to followers of Champions League betting odds, and was defended by Sepp Blatter and other big names. Still, the 2010 World Cup final remains a controversial one.
No more than six cautions had been handed out in a World Cup final before. Some felt Webb was too harsh. Others questioned whether he was trying too hard to let the game flow, allowing the Dutch players to bully the Spaniards.
Webb remains known as one of the best Premier League referees, but he was handed the most challenging of circumstances for a World Cup final.
De Jong’s tackle is etched in the memories of football fans worldwide, a challenge so out-of-place that a replay was required to check you had seen it properly.
The Dutch midfielder has admitted he deserved a red for the challenge. In a 2021 interview, he shed some light on the conversation which might have swayed Webb.
"Howard [Webb] was in charge of the game. Luckily enough I knew him from the Premier League and we had a good relationship.
"I think that’s the only explanation I can give you as to why I didn’t get a red card. I put my hands up straight away and said to him 'listen, it was accidental, don’t make such a big decision so early in the game.'
"It would have completely messed up the biggest game on the biggest stage. And of course there was no VAR to influence his decision, so as soon as he pulled out the yellow card, that was it.
"But obviously, looking back, it was a straight red card. It was a bad red; I can admit that."
Webb, years after the biggest match of his career and long after exiting the Premier League predictions stage, shared his story of the incident in his autobiography.
"Hand on heart, it never, ever crossed my mind that this was a red card. In that instance, on that pitch, I was utterly convinced it was a yellow; not one percent of me thought otherwise.
"I hadn't bottled out of the big decision, I hadn't felt intimidated by the occasion, and I'd certainly not felt under any pressure from FIFA to curb dismissals. I'd simply handed out the appropriate penalty for what I'd seen with my own eyes. And that's the truth.
BREAKING: Howard Webb will take up the role of Chief Refereeing Officer with PGMOL in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/ymuK65fP7i
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 24, 2022
"It wasn't until half-time that I realised De Jong's tackle might have been worthy of a red card... I felt gutted beyond belief.
"It looked like I'd missed a red-card offence in the World Cup final. What a f---ing nightmare. I returned to the pitch with my head pounding and my heart thumping."
From a betting perspective, Webb’s decision kept the Netherlands in the game. With no VAR, it could have proved the most pivotal error in World Cup final history.
Ultimately, the decision not to send off de Jong did not cost Spain, which may have been a relief for Webb. Andres Iniesta’s extra time goal eventually won La Roja their first World Cup.
De Jong might have avoided an embarrassing red card in the final, but Alonso had the last laugh.
