Sky Bet Final Referee Market

Busacca is at home already as well as Larrionda and Rosetti

Actually starting to think that Webb could be a worthy fave. Had a good tourney and been supported by linesmen with no foul ups either.

Referees retained:

Rashan Irmatov (UZB), Yuichi Nishimura (JPN), Khalil Al Ghamdi (KSA), Jerome Damon (RSA), Eddy Maillet (SEY), Carlos Alberto Batres (GUA), Marco Rodriguez (MEX), Benito Archundia (MEX), Carlos Simon (BRA), Hector Baldassi (ARG), Oscar Ruiz (COL), Pablo Pozzo (CHI), Michael Hester (NZL), Viktor Kassai (HUN), Olegario Benquerenca (POR), Howard Webb (ENG), Wolfgang Stark (GER), Alberto Undiano (ESP), Franck De Bleeckere (BEL)

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already hung my hat on Irmatov and Archundia.  don't think it will be a UEFA ref this time as they have had two of the last four, CONCACAF overdue (last one Codesal in 1990) and Asia never had one.  Webb unlikely to get CL Final and WC Final in same season

Sugarfoot, am I right in thinking that if your nation makes the last 4 then you are automatically on your way home?

that is my understanding.  I haven't seen anything in documentation this time (referee stuff is pretty scant on the FIFA site), but it was certainly stated at WC2006 and I can't find exceptions to it in the history I can see on rsssf.com

Thanks a lot.  I agree with your two picks.  I think the language factor could tip it towards Archundia...

QFinals

NED    BRA  Nishimura
URU    GHA  Benquerenca
ARG    GER  Irmatov
PAR    ESP  Batres

Elizondo got three group games and a QF so that fits with Irmatov.  Archundia got three group, one QF and a semi last time, so I'm a little surprised he hasn't added to his two group games.  Perhaps Nishimura is in the frame now.

UEFA ones have mostly had two group games and an early knockout game so I think they are all done now.  Be surprised if any of them got another game after the quarters.

Sugarfoot this year looks a carbon copy of 2002 rather than 2006.  In 2006 3 of the last 16 refs also did a quarter final.  This year none which is the same as in 2002 when Collina did one game in the last 16 and then refereed the final. 

With the farcical nature of England's disallowed goal immediately followed by the mess up in the Mexico game I dont think Fifa will play politics with the final referee.  Above all they will want a competent referee.  If we look at the refs from the last 16 Rosetti and Larrionda have gone home, while Baldassi, Stark and Undiano represent Argentina Spain and Germany so you can rule out 2 of them at least and you can rule out Baldassi anyway since an Argentinian reffed the last one.  You are left with Webb, De Bleekere and Kassai.  Kassai is probably too young but is well thought of and an intersting outsider, so its easy to see why Webb is the favourite having performed very well here, and being very well regarded having reffed the CL final well with the same linesmen.  I do think he is a little short in the betting like but I have him as favourite.

I think also the fact that only one European ref in the qfs points to more in the pipeline for the upcoming games again similar to 2002 when there was only one European at the same stage then they did each semi and the final

My feeling is that following along the lines of 2002, Archundia and Damon (there hasnt been an African ref a knock out game yet) might get the semis and a European ref will do the final (unless it is an all European final).

That would leave it between Webb, De Bleeckere, Kassai and Benquerenca.

Webb's price is silly, tbh.  Its funny that as soon as it went short, there were bookmakers offering referee prices who hadn't put a market up since before the tournament started, and PPower were offering a bigger price than here.  As soon as England were knocked out he became the focus of British media attention and I am sure that has been a heavy influence on his price rather than anything else.  Having the CL Final for UEFA doesn't mean he is viewed by FIFA in the same light; Rosetti reffed the EC Final in 2008, Busacca reffed CL Final 2009.  I personally can't see why he is ahead of the others in the pecking order, he is a contender like the others, he has done well enough but so have several others (although I don't personally think a UEFA man will get it)

I tend to think they are giving everybody 1 game until the final and then picking one from there.  I don't thik they will give the same ref the semi and the final and I dont think they will give a referee the final without having reffed a ko game so I dont fancy Archundia or anyone else that hasnt reffed a ko game.  I'll hold my hands up and say I've laid Webb but I think he's got a very good chance and I do think it'll be a Uefa ref

Surely no Semi Final ref can also do the final

I expekt that De Bleeckere will get final.

Why? He did good job till now, and this is his last tournament. For Webb there is still time, and he in this year already had final. I can't see anyone else and probably 2 top favorites for final are Webb and De Bleeckere, and I hope De Bleeckere will got it.


Btw. why is Busacca sent home. As I know he didn't do any big mistakes thiss wc...

De Bleeckere booked the wrong Algerian player in the USA game.  Its clear from video evidence that Halliche was the one showing dissent, but while De Bleeckere was fishing around for his yellow card Halliche's captain Yahia moved him away and ended up being booked (and red carded) instead

Btw. why is Busacca sent home. As I know he didn't do any big mistakes thiss wc...
------------------
are you joking?  he had one game and managed to give a penalty for a dive and send off the goalkeeper for denying a goalscoring opportunity when the attacker could not have reached the ball.  against the host nation as well

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/highlights/video/video=1247691/index.html
around 1' 34" on there

to be fair though, Busacca didn't wee on the pitch or make any rude gestures at the crowd this time, so I suppose its an improvement

Bussacca sent home because of the double error in his game involving the hosts.  Offside in the build up to challenge where he issued a red card to the GK for "denying a clear goal scoring opportunity" when a caution would have sufficed.  Given his incidents of the past year, sticking the finger up at the crowd in a domestic game and the pi$$ing on the park in a challenge match in Qatar, any would error would have seen him sent home.

Bussacca should never have been favourite given the year he's had.

I've been doing a bit of fishing trying to find a pattern or any pointers and been unsuccesful

Webb and Archundia are the only 2 refs in contention to have officiated at the 2009 Confeds Cup.
Relevance as an historical pointer none

Irmatov and Archundia officiated the last 2 Fifa World Club finals
Relevance as an historical pointer none

Kassai officiated the 2008 Olympic final
Relevance as an historical pointer none

The appointment seems quite random although I do think Webb holds the best hand.  Kassai and Irmatov are both quite young, Archundia hasnt done a ko game, Batres has been heavily critisized, Damon hasnt reffed a ko game, Stark and Undiano represent Germany and Spain who are still in the comp.

I backed Archundia before the off but a clear missed red card in his first game and now not being seen since his Brazil game would point to a semi now at best.

I wish betfair would open up a market on which region will the final referee come form, as i am positive it won't be a European.  Asia have never had a referee do the final hence my cover bets on Irmatov n(probably too young) and Nishimura (probably too inexperienced) as i cant see any other viable options.

Europe not particularly well represented on the FIFA Referees Committee, although the chairman obviously has a major say which is why Mallenco is still there...

Chairman
Ángel María VILLAR LLONA     Spain Spain    

Deputy Chairman
Ricardo Terra TEIXEIRA     Brazil Brazil    

Member
Carlos ALARCÓN     Paraguay Paraguay     (CONMEBOL)
Yousuf AL-SERKAL     United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates     (AFC)
Lisle AUSTIN     Barbados Barbados     (CONCACAF)
Amadou DIAKITE     Mali Mali     (CAF)
Peter MIKKELSEN     Denmark Denmark     (UEFA)
Gilles TAVERGEUX     New Caledonia New Caledonia     (OFC)
Ahmed Mohammed JASSIM     Bahrain Bahrain    
Belaïd LACARNE     Algeria Algeria    
Jorge ROMO     Argentina Argentina    
Badara SENE     Senegal Senegal    
Toru KAMIKAWA     Japan Japan    
Michal LISTKIEWICZ     Poland Poland    
Borislav MIHAILOV     Bulgaria Bulgaria    
Ted HOWARD     USA USA    
Harry ATISSON     Vanuatu Vanuatu

My money is still on Archundia or De Bleeckere although if the Argies get to the final that might rule out the former. Stark is also a dark horse IMVHO, and if Brazil get KO'd today does Carlos Simon then come into contention as he fits all the criteria and has not made any balls ups to date...

it won't be a CONMEBOL ref, they had it last time and Brazil are hosts next time.

I've backed three for a bit of fun; Archundia (losing confidence in him), Nishimura and Irmatov.  Haven't laid anyone; wasted a lot of time at EC 2008 and WC 2006 doing that and ended up throwing away some winnings on Rosetti and Elizondo by p1ssing about.  DOn't think it'll be UEFA and tbh their prices have been rotten value throughout so I don't care if I'm wrong

less likely to be a European now that Netherlands beat Brazil

No chance of Frank De Bleeckere getting it now that the Dutch are semi-finalists so that is another favourite out of the running. Does Simon now stand a chance seeing that he fits the "profile" of previous WC final referees?

Nishimura was awful that game and I think he is now out of contention as he let both sides get away with murder. While Webb and Irmatov have both performed well, they both have one and three, respectively, World Cups left in them. Absolutely no chance of a 32-year-old being given the showcase event, even less so given the massive refereeing errors to date.

Archundia now the outstanding favourite for me, and if Germany get Ko'd tomorrow I think Stark could be worth a few bob.

I see skybet are still cheating by offering prices on Rosetti, Larrionda and Busacca. they really are utter cvnts.  finally listed Irmatov at 5/2.  they offer no prices at all on any of: Nishimura, Kassai, Batres, Archundia, Benquereca, Undiano.  filthy company

the south african ref might be a good shout
not going to favour a european of south american team
it would be a very PC choice for fifa

the home nation, in fact the home confederation, never gets it

sugarfoot Joined: 22 Jun 01
Replies: 2236 03 Jul 10 15:01   


the home nation, in fact the home confederation, never gets it 
did nt know that

can't ever remember getting this market right but for me the logical choice has to be the Mexican - Archundia

Webb and Irmatov are in their first world cups and imo it would rule them out of future final possibility - their experience in 4/8 years could come in handy - Webb also had Champions League Final which apparently is a negative, Irmatov is just 32 and only once has the same ref done the opener and final (yes last time)

De Bleekere could be a decent shout but with holland probably in the final not sure it would be a good idea having someone from Belgium reffing. Stark/Mallenco won't get it for obvious reasons, Damon is the host ref which according to above rules him out as does him not being competent enough imo, of the rest only Simon stands out for me but FIFA imo would be asking for controversy if he got it. I think also having a European ref for a European final would make it more a UEFA gig - which FIFA might not be able to stomach. The Japanese ref is just not good enough for me and will surely have lost marks for mistakenly bringing out the red before correcting himself in his quarterfinal.

So the standout bet imo has to be Archundia, well respected by Fifa as can be seen by number of matches in 2006 - where he got the semi-final. Also given from Mexico no perceived axes to grind given Argentina knocked his nation out - not that should have anything to do with it. One concern is the 7 yellows he dished out in first half of Brazil/Portugal.

It makes sense to me but then as i said at the top can't remember ever getting this market right.

Very interesting thread IMO.

I believe Webb will get Spain v Germanay

A Swiss referee got the final in 66.  Long time ago like

Sportspreader,

Archundia was outstanding in that Brazil v Portugal game that you refer to. Neither team wanted to play football and he did the best he could to nip it in the bud before it got completely out of control. By contrast, the **** fella let Brazil and Holland kick each other off the park before flashing a deserved red.

IMO, Archundia would have been given maximum marks for his performance in that Portugal v Brazil match and his approach worked well because the second half passed off without incident.

However, neither a CONMEBOL or UEFA ref can be appointed to the first semi-final and I have a feeling he may get that, given very other top refs can not be named.

My hope is that Damon gets the first semi, Kassai or Webb the second semi, and then Archundia or Simon the final next Sunday. Guess we will find out tomorrow

I've been very impressed by the Japanese ref myself.  We can pick holes in every refereeing performance.  Webb has done well but I think he should have sent Pepe off in the Italy Slovak game.

CCA, fair enough - didn't actually watch the game (had just assumed, dangerous to do in a bookings thread with yourself lurking) - was just getting a bit peeved there so many cards being shown in a match i had marked down as a low make-up - would be very tough on Archundia to get 2 world cup semi-finals in a row - not just cause money down but i think he is the most deserving.

clydebank - sure no referee will ever be perfect but to pull out a red card instead of a yellow for me has to be considered big enough to warrant not being considered for the final

edit above - referee thread not bookings (in my defence - referee chat with cca involved is 99% of time normally to do with cards)

interesting site here :

http://www.worldreferee.com/site/home.php

Kassi confirmed as the ref for the Spain v Germany match with De Bleeckere as Fourth Official.

On his website, De Bleeckere says Irmatov has been given the other semi final, and Webb will be Fourth Official on that one.

My money is now on Archundia or Simon for the final. Webb may well get the 3/4 place play off.

Actually, having used a better translation website, it seems Webb may not be the Fourth Official in the other match but simply one of the last three UEFA referees still at the tournie, along with Kassai and De Bleeckere.

7 Officials have been retained Kassai Webb De Bleekere Archundia Nichimura Damon and Irmatov

Kassai and Irmatov have got the semis

Damon will get 3rd place play off imho

looks like it might be between Nichimura and Archundia

Kassai and Irmatov obv considered too young.  Pity they were my 2 best results

FIFA has indicated us as fourth official in the second Half final competition Germany – Spain of Wednesday. 

Godfather Hermans functions as fifth official.  The competition is played in Durban. 

Viktor Kassai from Hungary is referee.  The other half final is led by the Oezbeek Irmatov. 

The group is back afgeslankt and for UEFA remain Webb, Kassai and the Belgian team. 

That will say that we till the end of the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in South-africa remain.

so what would be the best result of the first semi for Webb not to get it?

Holland to then make it an all European final so then possibly a non European ref or Uruguay to make it then rule him out in case of revenge theory?

would like Archundia got 16/1 on him

Shame about Irmatov, had him at 60/1 and only laid back the (small) stake.
Not sure De Bleeckere is doing himself any favours by preempting the FIFA site.

Nothing about Webb being a fourth official in the Uruguay game

If there are only 7 officials being retained one of them must be doubling up.  Either a fourth official for the semi reffing the final or 3rd place game or one of the semi refs being the fourth official in the final or 3rd place play off

I reckon Webb to Ref the 3/4th game and 4th official the final.

Webb has been mint and I don't normally praise him!  Plus the linesmen have been spot on.  However, whilst I don't want to bring politics into it, I have to speculate whether FIFA would go for English officials since so many say the world hate us English.

Not trying to spark debate or call names but I feel it's worth considering.  Perhaps a more thorough person would go and check how many English officials have been in finals over the years or, rather, check if any outstanding English refs have been snubbed in the past.

Sorry again if this sounds over the top, maybe I should stop reading the Yahoo! (Y!) News forums since it's full of putrid, racist slander.

Nice to see a better forum interface but Betfair are still behind - no edit feature!

Anyway, to clarify, I wasn't saying there would definitely be any evidence of English officials being snubbed.  What I meant was one would have to check the statistics to see if there is any substance to my claim that a ref might be overlooked due to his English nationality.

My only basis of argument is that Sepp Blatter is a tosser and I presume the rest of FIFA are riddled with them.

Gonna go now before FIFA track my IP and Platini sends Cantona to kick my puddings in.

runour is that webb has it

Well I hope so.  Just my racist paranoia stopped me from getting on at something like 3.25 a few days ago.  I may have a little nibble in spite of all I've said.

CLYDEBANK29 Joined: 10 Jan 02
Replies: 954 05 Jul 10 13:17   


7 Officials have been retained Kassai Webb De Bleekere Archundia Nichimura Damon and Irmatov

10 Officials is the right number.

Well, my my head, heart, pocket and wallet are all saying it's Archundia's final.

I just can't see why such an experienced official set for retirement and with one WC semi-final already under his belt would be kept on for the 3/4 place match but not the final.

Also, why not give him the Uruguay v Holland semi-final rather than use a referee who has just done a quarter final match? They must be saving him for the big one on Sunday surely, unless all logic flies out of the window.

It's also interesting to note that they have kept his compatriot Rodriguez in South Africa and there must be a chance he will be named fourth official in support of Archundia.

I am decent green on Archundia and red on Webb so I may be biased, but reading other forums, previous WC final referee criteria, etc etc, I am optimistic I may yet end this World Cup in the black.

My apologies..it appears Pozo, Ruiz and Rodriguez have also been retained making 10.

That's according to Twitter

After spending a few hours on referee forums and message boards this evening it seems Archundia is the firm favourite among the non-UK posters.

It also appears one of his lino's is very highly regarded and up for retirement soon so that would surely also count in his favour now that the appointments are done on a "team" basis.

I am tempted to lay Webb some more but will wait a tad longer and hope the great British press can ramp up his chances a bit more and bring his price in a bit.

I assume that if Uruguay get beaten tomorrow, as I think they will, then his price will collapse even further on the basis that it would be another obstacle out of his way given the non-goal.

Either way, if Germany beat Spain there is 0% chance of him getting the gig after the England defeat.

This is the latest view from Graham Poll.

"Howard Webb is still in the running to referee the World Cup final after surviving the latest cut.

The Rotherham official has missed out on a semi-final but has been retained in the elite group of 10 referees.

FIFA sent home 27 officials yesterday after announcing that Uzbek Ravshan Irmatov, the star referee of the tournament, will take charge of Holland v Uruguay tonight.

Viktor Kassai, from Hungary, has been appointed to the Germany-Spain semi-final.

The four main officials in semi-final action (two referees and two fourth officials) will not be involved in the final and I cannot see Mexico’s Marco Rodriguez, Chile’s Pablo Pozo or home official Jerome Damon being given the big one.

That leaves Webb as one of three in with a chance.

Of those, the experienced Benito Archundia, from Mexico, is the favourite while Oscar Ruiz, from Colombia, is at his third World Cup and also has a great chance.

But Webb — with his English assistants Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey — could still be the first Englishman in charge of the final since Jack Taylor refereed Holland v West Germany in 1974."

He appears to be hanging his hat on Benito too.

Ruiz is CONMEBOL so that's unlikely tbh and he only had two minor group games (and only one in 2006).  Surprised that Nishimura has been written off as he was one of the few refs to get 3 group games and an (important) ko game.  Still don't quite get why Archundia only did two group games and no more, but perhaps he did plenty in 2006

It definitely appears to be between Webb and Archundia but Webb (and the other English officials) have been by far the better of the two imo so you'd hope that he'd get the final. Quite clearly it can be a political process but you'd hope that justice is done.

Belqola reffed the 1998 final without having done a group game and Brazilian referees did consecutive finals in 82 and 86. 

There seem to be 3 teams left:

Archundia and Rodriguez
Webb and Damon
Ruiz and Pozzo

I'm assuming one is on standby in case of injury.
I wouldn't rule out De Bleeckere and Nishimura because they are 4th officials but it looks unlikely to me that they will get the final

I doubt Ruiz will get it but he must now be the 3rd most likely candidate and at what was 75 I had to have a little bet on him.

I think Webb is the fave. partly because I've always felt the South African ref. was going to play a part in some capacity in the later stages.  Also Kassai, Irmatov and Webb have arguably been the top 3 refs at this tournament and 2 of them have got the semis.  Then I think why would they give Webb Uruguay and why would they have him ref an all European final?  Hopefully he gets the 3rd place play off.

Perhaps the Mexican duo are penciled in for Uruguay leaving an all European final between Ruiz and Webb?  Then again Collina did the Brazil/Germany final and a Conmebol ref did last years all European final and a Conmebol ref did the all European final of 82.  The last 3 refs to do the final have all done it at their last World Cup so this is perhaps one area where Archundia holds an edge.

surely webb can only get it if it's spain against holland. can't ref germany or uruguay now for obvious reasons.

Brazilian referees did consecutive finals in 82 and 86. 

---------
true but those were in the days of the Brazilian Havelange when the appointment was more of a one man deal and, unsurprisingly two Brazilian refs were picked.  since Blatter came in (late 80s) the policy has been to spread things around more fairly.  funnily enough the only English ref (Taylor) was when Rous was President

Interesting stuff sugarfoot.  Any German bloodlines in the Webb family or any of Blatter's family been spotted holidaying in Mexico?

Have just laid Webb some more at 1.8. I guess that price may come in tonight if Holland KO Uruguay so I may well be back for more tonight.

Am convinced it will be given to Archundia and I feel I have history, precedent, and logic on my side. The clincher for me is that he was not given the semi-final match this evening and they had to resort to using a referee who had just done a QF game.

He really was outstanding in the Brazil v Portugal match and while some people seem to think that Webb may get the final due to the sympathy vote after the goal that never was, Mexico were also robbed in their game v Argentina in perhaps even worse circumstances seeing that both the lino and ref even had the benefit of a replay on the large screen.

However, I am sticking to facts and not conjecture and Archundia fits the bill in every possible way. Having said that, I also have Nishimura and Ruiz on my side as I took them at decent odds earlier in the tournament.

So, anyone but Webb is now a decent result in my book.

Archundia was very poor in the Brazil v Portugal game imo. Very surprised that you think he was excellent. It seems unlikely to me that a referee who has not done a knockout game will get the final. If they rated him so much why not give him another game. Therefore Webb does seem the sensible and logical choice (even if the odds are short enough)

We will have to agree to disagree on that last Archundia performance Asparagus. He took the sting out of the game the best he could as neither team wanted to play football.

Irmatov was very poor tonight. Let far too much go and just a shame none of the enraged South Americans got close enough to give him a punch in the mouth at full-time.

I don't see Webb getting another game now as FIFA will surely avoid an "all UEFA" final by appointing a referee from a different confederation, while Germany or Spain's presence in the 3/4 place match will mean he can't be appointed there.

Best he can hope for is Fourth Official duties on one of the two remaining matches. I am going to keep on laying him anyhow!!!

It's very likely to be Webb given an all-Euro final now. If Uruguay had gone through then Archundia would have been used.

Archundia (CONCACAF) for the Bronze final now Uruguay (CONMEBOL) v Germany/Spain (UEFA)

I thought Irmatov was superb!

I was on partial ref watch and I didnt disagree with any of his decisions

Del Griffith, too many of the bookings in Archundia's game were unwarranted. I couldn't disagree with you more regarding Irmatov. Imo he was superb tonight. Other than Van Bommel deserving a booking earlier than he got one he got almost everything right. Imo he has been the best ref in the tournament. However, appointing for the final is about appointing the best team of officials. Irmatov's assistants tonight got 3 or 4 offsides incorrect (and that's not even including the Schneider goal which was marginal). Therefore our officials deserve the final imo for being the best out there. Whether they get it or not is another matter but I'm just hoping the correct decision is made.

Compact - whats the reason for Webb getting all european final? In my view it goes the other way - but thats just my theories - fifa competition and not a uefa one

When do we find out please?

Can't see how Webb can get a WC Final in the same year that he got a CL Final plus his first WC - surely the prices are the wrong way round - it must be Arachundia.

The market will tell us Ekbalco, probably on Thursday, unless it's telling us already and we are assuming it's patriotic mugs when infact it's been insiders all along.  No bookies offering the market is a bit of a concern to me. I'm assuming Fifa tell us on Friday.

It's not official yet. Not sure if it's tomorrow or fri that the officials find out.

I don't think it's relevant that Webb did the champs league final. The world cup only comes round every 4 years. If they think Webb deserves it he'll get it (subject to any political stuff). Still think he's most likely tho Archundia is clearly the other possibility (would be amazed if it was anyone else)

Webb won't get it

He's doin the 3rd/4th play off

Gt on a ramp. Why make things up?

i

My main reason for thinking Webb for the final is that the 3rd/4th playoff is CONMEBOL v UEFA so he definitely won't be appointed to that. Archundia is from a third confederation so he is likely to be appointed to that game. If I remember correctly

Also now Germany aren't going to be there, there is no 'revenge theory' issue with Webb getting the final. Webb as a European referee is familiar with these teams and their conduct.

Thirdly, there has been some poor assistant refereeing even as recently as tonight's game which I imagine will have disappointed FIFA, while Webb's assistants have been top-class with their decisions during this tournament.

Not to mention FIFA may be seeking to make things up to England after a certain event in the Germany game.

The right decision at this stage would surely be to appoint Webb, the only factor against it is FIFA-randomness.

If I remember correctly Collina got the 2002 final between Brazil and Germany but I reckon that was to recognise his achievements before he retired.

wouldn't get too hung up on who gets the 3/4 play-off.  no-one gives a stuff about that game.  Kamikawa got it last time after doing two minor group games when there were European refs that could have done Germany-Portugal. Similarly the Kuwait Saad Mane got Turkey-South Korea in 2002 after a low key tournament amd Gonzalez from Paraguay also in 1998.

ok wish they hurry now and put us out our misery

am starting to lose faith in archiundia - combo of british media building webb up and something else just thought of

mexican ref will naturally have more rapport with spanish players due to the lingo? Dutch players may feel its a bit unfair they won't be able to communicate as well

just another random theory

I think Spain's unhappiness with Webb in the Swiss game would have as much impact on the decision (ie probably none)

Free money available on Baldassi not to get the big one. I took as much as I could but there is still 34 euros available. He never made the second cut and is back in Argentina.

http://www.telam.com.ar/vernota.php?tipo=N&idPub=191530&id=364907&dis=1&sec=1

Market says Archundia now..

market says Webb

insiders know already

not insiders..posted on the official site

Official - Webb gets the jig

Someone was backing Archundia at 1/2 half an hour ago..?

sorry i can´t find the original post, please put the link here. thanks

i did it

webb confirmed 100%  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249721/match=300061509/index.html

damm - never get this market right

archundia gets 3rd/4th game

oh well, no joy this time.  could never have backed Webb myself

Great to see that the undoubted man of the tournament, EAGLE EYED DARREN CANN will get to perform in the final.

Webb was the logical choice and the price on him was fair. I backed him at 1.8.

Done my dosh large there. Gobsmacked at the decision. Sure, Webb has had a very good tournament but FIFA have got against every precedent by snubbing an older and more experienced hand.

Well done Webb backers, off to see how I can recoup my losses....

when are betfair going to pay out on this? I had webb at good odds and would like my dosh!
You can still back him now if you want!  1.01 thouh

I presume they will wait until they know he will actually ref the final. He might have a bad curry tonight!

In fact, the chef at Webb's hotel has been reportedly been seen laying Webb at 1.01 all day long.[:o][:o]

lol, shocking choice