Pub match comeback for ref Webb

Englishman Howard Webb, who refereed the 2010 World Cup final, returned to action this season by taking charge of a pub match. The eyes of the world were on Webb as he dished out 14 yellow cards and one red as Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in...

Englishman Howard Webb, who refereed the 2010 World Cup final, returned to action this season by taking charge of a pub match.

The eyes of the world were on Webb as he dished out 14 yellow cards and one red as Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in Johannesburg in July. But only a handful of fans and a dog witnessed his first game this season: Thrybergh Working Men’s Club versus Wickersley Social in the Rotherham Charity Cup.

The 39-year-old volunteered to do the match, staged on the same Hollings Lane ground in Yorkshire, northern England, where he started his refereeing career 18 years ago.

“I needed a good game under my belt before I return to the Premier League,” Webb said.

Webb earned €35,000 for taking charge of the World Cup final. This time he got €25, which he donated to charity.

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