Webb overlooked for quarter-finals

Webb has enjoyed an excellent tournament (GETTY IMAGES)

Howard Webb has missed out on the chance to referee a World Cup quarter-final.

The Rotherham official is the last English representative in South Africa following the demise of the Three Lions and there had been high hopes he may take charge of the final at Soccer City on July 11.

He would emulate Jack Taylor, the last Englishman to referee the showpiece occasion in 1974.

However, it was felt the best quarter-final performance would be rewarded with the final, so today's announcement can be viewed as a blow.

Webb is not out of the running yet though, especially if two South American teams end up contesting the final.

Only one European referee has been given a last-eight game - Olegario Benquerenca of Portugal, who takes charge of tomorrow night's fixture between Uruguay and Ghana in Johannesburg.

Ravshan Irmatov, from Uzbekistan, who refereed the opening game, will also handle Argentina's potentially powderkeg tussle with Germany on Saturday.