I've been reading/listening/watching the articles in the press recently regarding certain refereeing decisions which have proved pivotal, crucial or decisive to several matches in the competition thus far, and I'm quite disappointed that Howard Webb was singled out by the Polish PM who said:
"As the prime minister I have to be balanced and collected. But last night I was speaking very differently about the whole thing, I wanted to kill..."
Surely that is not acceptable for a person in such an important position to come out and say such a thing.
(Gordon Brown probably wants to kill Tony Blair for leaving him with a collapsing economy on his hands but, you'd never expect him to say it in public.)
Now, although it cost Poland the victory it did not come at the expense of their participation in the tournament. So why is there a witch-hunt? It was reported on SkySports News today that he has to have security due to death threats!!!
I wonder if the Greek PM is putting a price on the ref's head for allowing Russia's goal to stand, and the public burning his effigy? Especially when you consider that decision effectively put them out of the tournament?
Or, will the Italian Mafia order a hit on the ref who allowed Holland's first goal in their 3-0 defeat?
What are you guys' opinions on Webb's decision and the reaction to his decision?
And also the level of refereeing in the competition as a whole?