Dutch cry foul over English referee - again

Arjen Robben and Nigel de Jong led a Dutch onslaught on English referee Howard Webb after Holland succumbed to Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner in the World Cup final.

Spain lifted their first World Cup after a match in which Holland had John Heitinga dismissed in extra-time for a second booking and seven others yellow-carded.

Robben was incensed that Carles Puyol escaped punishment when he seemed to impede the Dutch winger as he raced in on Iker Casillas's goal seven minutes from the end of regulation time.

Puyol appeared to use his arm to hinder Robben's flow and Casillas came out to block the striker, who had gamely tried to remain on his feet.

"As a player, you always try to keep going, but for them to score a goal (four) minutes before the end was tough. It made things very difficult for us," said the Bayern Munich player.

"We kept trying to get something out of the game, but the dressing room was a pretty depressing place. We sat there and only talked about some of the refereeing decisions."

Puyol had already been booked at that point and had Webb adjudged him to have fouled Robben, then a second yellow would have been brandished, given he was the last man and Robben was through on goal.

De Jong, who was shown only a yellow card when he jumped up, studs showing, and caught Spain's Xabi Alonso in the chest, said he felt the major calls went the Spaniards' way.

Just before Spain scored, Holland should have had a corner when a Wesley Sneijder shot was deflected behind.

But a goal-kick was given and Spain went straight up the other end to snatch the winner.

"There were a few curious decisions in the game, but that is football," moaned De Jong.

"You have to keep going and keep fighting, but it was hard. Webb made some curious decisions, especially the last bit from Spain, it was a corner for us but strangely we didn't get the decision."

Sunday's match was the second time an Englishman had taken charge of a World Cup final involving Holland and the Dutch grievances had an echo of what happened when they lost 2-1 to West Germany in 1974.

Jack Taylor was the referee in that match and, while he gave the Dutch a penalty right at the start, he was also seen as having awarded the Germans a debatable soft-kick which allowed them to equalise and go on to win the match.

Canal parade

The Dutch football team will return to a heroes welcome and a parade along the canals of Amsterdam this afternoon.

"The players will parade in a boat which will navigate the canals of Amsterdam. The tour will last between two and two-and-a-half hours," Guus Schoker, spokesman for the city of Amsterdam, said.

The Oranje will then make their way to a specially-erected podium in the city centre where 180,000 fans gathered on Sunday night to watch the final on a giant screen.