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Webb makes Fifa World Cup list

24/10/2008

Premier League referee Howard Webb has been included on a Fifa shortlist of prospective officials for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Webb, 37, is one of 14 Uefa-affiliated referees on the 38-man list, which will be whittled down to a definitive final list in early 2010 to decide who travels to the tournament itself.

After joining the Fifa list in 2005, Webb missed out on the World Cup the following year after Graham Poll was selected as England's representative.

However, following the Tring official's retirement at the end of the 2006/07 season, Webb is now widely regarded as the country's top referee - taking charge of the 2007 Carling Cup final and two group matches at Euro 2008.

He joins a number of other top-rated decision-makers - including Euro 2008 final referee, Italy's Roberto Rosetti, and Uruguayan official Jorge Larrionda, who took charge of the 2006 World Cup semi-final between Portugal and France.

"All of the preselected referees have attended various seminars organised by Fifa and officiated at Fifa competitions since the process began at the end of 2006," a statement from football's world governing body stated.

"The criteria applied for the selection included technical, physical, medical and psychological tests, as well as the referees' performances in international matches.

"The same process will be used when making the final selection, which will take place in early 2010."