Blatter won't condemn Webb

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has refused to condemn Howard Webb for his performance during the World Cup final.

Webb handed out a record 15 cards, including one red, during the clash between Holland and Spain in Johannesburg on Sunday evening.

Spain won the game 1-0 to claim their first ever World Cup, with the tough-tackling Dutch highly critical of the English official.

But Blatter has revealed his annoyance was with the two teams, rather than Premier League referee Webb.

"The final was not exactly what I expected in terms of fair play,"said Blatter.

"It's not up to me judge the performances of the officials, I can only say it was a very hard task that the referee trio had on the field of play.

"It was not easy, really not easy and they were really not helped in this task I can say.

"In football we have to live with the errors of players, and of referees. I don't think perfection exists in this world."

Praise

Blatter did praise winners Spain for their play during the tournament, saying:"I have to compliment the winners - the Spanish national team, La Roja.

"Finally we had a winner playing good football and maybe from a technical point of view there are maybe some questions but it's the (coach) who decides 'do we play to win or do we play not lose' and this will decide on whether we have spectacular or non-spectacular games."

Blatter again apologised to England and Mexico for refereeing mistakes earlier on in the tournament, but he refused to extend that to Ireland for the Thierry Henry handball that led to France winning their qualifying play-off.

"This was a case that has happened in a preliminary competition and now we are at the end of the World Cup, and it is odious to reopen discussions,"he said.

"A goal was not given in a match between England and Germany and it went all around the world, it was like a cry, an alarm that something very, very important has happened.

"It was said 'will you reopen the file of technology?' and I have said 'yes - goal-line technology will be looked at again by the International FA Board', but only goal-line technology."

Success

The Fifa chief was also delighted to announce the tournament, the first in Africa, a success.

"Big compliments to South Africa and the people of South Africa, and to the government for all the guarantees they have given and met for the organisation of this World Cup, and to the local organising committee,"he said.

"The wonderful hospitality given by the people was something very great.

"Africa have proved they can organise this World Cup and can organise a big competition. We trusted South Africa and with our trust they got their confidence and they should be proud."

Finally, Blatter was quizzed to his opinion on England's poor showing in South Africa.

"You will have to ask the Football Association. England is considered as being the motherland of football, as Brazil is the heartbeat of football, but there are no small national teams any more,"he said.

"There are small countries but their national teams are very strong as football has developed."

Source