Referee Webb falls short of his perfect standard

Johannesburg: World Cup final referee Howard Webb did not have a perfect game, by his own exacting standards.

Webb booked 13 different players and sent off John Heitinga after showing the Netherlands defender a second yellow card in extra time of its 1-0 defeat to Spain.

The English referee did not show a second yellow card to Spain defender Carles Puyol when he appeared to impede Arjen Robben in the 82nd minute, allowing Robben to play on and attempt to score.

Before the game Webb said he wanted to have a calming influence, and that his perfect game was when "nobody is speaking about the officials, and they are speaking about the excellent game of football."

Dutch players had to be pulled away from Webb at the end of the game.