The wife of English referee Howard Webb said she had "every confidence" in her husband after he set a new World Cup final record by handing out 14 yellow cards and one red as Spain clinched their first victory in the football tournament.

Kay Webb, who was unable to watch much of the game because she was too nervous, told GMTV she thought the 38-year-old Yorkshireman was "brilliant".

"I have every confidence in him," she said.

The former police sergeant was kept on his toes, issuing nine yellow cards to the Dutch - including two and a red to Everton's John Heitinga - and five to Spain in a tense game which went into extra time.

Mr Webb was the first Englishman to referee a World Cup final since 1974, and was watched by an estimated TV audience of 750 million.

He faced angry remonstrations from the Dutch after the final match for some of his decisions.

They argued that he should have sent off Spanish defender Carles Puyol for a tackle and failed to award their side a corner moments before the goal when a free-kick took a deflection off Spain's Cesc Fabregas.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said: "I don't think the referee controlled the match well."

A succession of late and aggressive challenges from the Dutch side kept Mr Webb busy throughout the first half as he cautioned five players.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson, co-commentating on the match for the BBC, said: "You might argue it was the most difficult match he has ever had to referee." Mr Webb officiated the game alongside assistants Darren Cann, from Poringland, Norfolk, and Michael Mullarkey, from Exeter.