My 2010 World Cup Diary: Howard Webb cause controversy again, This time for Singaporean

England have made it to the 2010 World Cup Final and it is not their football team that did it. English Premier League referee Howard Webb has been selected by FIFA to officiate the World Cup Final match between the Netherlands and Spain. I have never been impressed by Mr Webb handling of BPL football matches because those games have a tendency to be marred by controversy, of dubious refereeing decisions that affected the outcome of the game. Spurs have been the victim of such circumstances before and we're not the only team affected. Mr Webb is well-known for controversy and a simple search on the web would generate dozens of disputed football incidents where the man in black is the centre of attention of questionable decisions. Maybe that's the reason why he's been selected as the World Cup final referee because he always made headline news, very often for the wrong reason. Well, a decison made is final and there's nothing football fans like me can do except to hope for the best and maybe rant a little. That was what I did yesterday morning when I read that Howard Webb has been assigned the all-important task of the final game, I voice out my disagreement on my facebook page.

The "I hate Howard Webb" slogan link & perhaps the picture didn't goes down well with one of my dear Man U friend. Even before the World Cup final has kick off, the very mention of the name Howard Webb has caused controversy in the tiny Singapore and its involved WT Tey, me.

The slogan wasn't written by me and I certainly don't bear hatred towards somebody that I hardly knew. Football & the World cup has no place for hatred, it is a team sport, the most beautiful game in the world supposed to unite people. Remember how USA and Iran put aside their differences and played out a good sporting football game in France 98. I don't hate but disagree or at worst dislike Howard Webb handling of football matches. Maybe he's the favourite referee of Red Devil fans, that why there's a outcry of me hating Man U more than him.

Me hate Man U? Certainly no. I don't sing the Manchester United tune but that doesn't mean I hate them. Like the famous saying, I give credit when credit due. When Wayne Rooney failed terribly in this world cup, I whacked him as a world cup flop based on his performances for England on the pitch. Not because he played for the Red devils that I have to mark him for England failure. He has a big reputation coming into this world cup but even before the tournament, I don't rate him highly as the previous generation of English forwards like Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham or even Michael Owen. David Platt is a much better striker than him if you ask me. though his primary position is midfield. Rooney is not the ultimate centreforward that good old England need, regardless whether he play for Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur. He prove me correct with his performances in the this world cup and I can't understand why Capello keep sticking to him despite the early tell-tale signs of him flopping in the group games.

Me hate Man U ? I ponder and I still don't think so. I remember I bought an Eric Cantona video tape a decade ago. This is the title that I bought and I still have it in my football library.

I enjoyed the excitement and passion that the controversial Frenchman has given to English football back in the 90s and I wanted to keep it in memory. That's why I bought the tape, which was all about his performances for the Red Devils. Would I have bought it if I hate Man U? No, I want to remember a great EPL player and the English team of the 90s. Talking about Cantona, he was once Chrissy Waddle teammate at Marseille but didn't do as well as Waddle because he's got an attitude problem. He's done it for Manchester United on English Premier league level but not on the european competition and the world stage. Nevertheless, a Red devil legend and one of the best Premier league player, I acknowledged that.

Me hate Man U? I remember cheering for Man U in the 1990 FA Cup semi-final against Oldham and again in the final against Crystal Palace. Why? I think because I like watching Mark Hughes doing volley stunts, Neil Webb (ex-Nottingham) plays for them and lastly, a bit soft-hearted not wanting to see the then relatively humble Alex Ferguson get the sack. Damn, what a mistake, should have hope they lost. Alex Ferguson before his English football success, was about to be a managerial flop at Manchester United way back in late 80s after spending a lot of money & getting zero trophies for a few seasons. He did a "sian yu fan sheng" (salted fish turnover) with the 1990 FA cup win and prolonged his stay at Man U. The rest is history. On Neil Webb, if there wasn't Tottenham Hotspur, I would probably be supporting Nottingham Forest. Brian Clough Forest boys were playing entertaining football & winning league cups with a superb midfield of Steve Hodge, Garry Parker and Neil Webb. They are not big names but when together, they played like a big team. Neil Webb was transferred to Manchester United in the summer of 1989 and scored for the Red devils on his debut in a 4-1 victory over defending champion Arsenal. He went on to play for England in Italia 90 and played against Italy in the 3/4th place game which England lost 2-1. Looking back, I still remember how I wanted Manchester United to win the FA cup that year. From the all-important Mark Robin goal against 2nd Division Oldham in the semi-final, to the cup final 3-3 draw against Wright & Bright @ Crystal Palace and the final replay 1-0 victory with a Lee Martin goal. Oh man, would I remember all these if I hate Man U.

Mark Hughes last minute volley equaliser against Oldham Athletic in the FA cup semi-final.

FA Cup Semi-final replay against Oldham Athletic, start from 5:50 for Mark Robins winner.

As embedding has been disabled, refer to the 1990 FA cup final link @ : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqxSVE6pAts&feature=PlayList&p=8E215F3DDAAF8479&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=43

Man Utd lowest cost player Lee Martin win the FA cup for desperate manager Alex Ferguson in the FA cup final replay against Crystal Palace.

Looking at how cocky that Fergie is now, what a big mistake that I had made back then to support them to win the 1990 FA cup. I am not a Man U hater , neither do I support them. There is one club that I do support whole-heartedly regardless of up or down, the best English football team in the universe, Tottenham Hotspur.

Oh man, that Howard Webb is causing controversy before the World Cup Final even started. Can't believe it happen in my facebook page. Anyway, life is about being positive thinking. Hope to see a fair & square and entertaining football final tomorrow.