14 July,2010 08:26 AM IST | | PA SPort
The Football Association have praised Howard Webb amid criticism of his performance in Sunday's stormy World Cup final, congratulating the English referee on a "well-handled" match.
The 39-year-old has been heavily criticised, not least by the Dutch media, after issuing 14 yellow cards during Spain's fractious 1-0 win ufffd two of which led to the dismissal of Holland's Everton defender John Heitinga.
But people within the English game have been quick to leap to Webb's defence and the FA have now expressed their support for the Rotherham official, who arrived home with his assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey yesterday.
Speaking to TheFA.com, Jonathan Hall, the FA's Director on the Professional Game Match Officials Board, said: "We would like to congratulate Howard Webb, Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann for a wonderful tournament and a very well-handled final in very difficult circumstances.
