Spanish angry at choice of English officials for final

The selection of Englishman Howard Webb to referee tomorrow's final has caused much consternation in the Spanish media.

The South Yorkshireman was in charge for La Roja's first game at this World Cup, the 1-0 defeat to Switzerland, and certain sections of the Spanish press hold him responsible for the shock reverse. Spanish sports daily Marca ran the headline: "Bad news – Webb will referee the final."

Sports newspaper AS said Webb's appointment was "debatable" and that he had made two mistakes in the game against Switzerland. While Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo was equally despondent, saying: "Bad memories for La Roja."