By Suresh Iyer
Holland coach Bert van Merwyjk spoke out against referee Howard Webb after his side's 1-0 loss to Spain in the final of FIFA World Cup 2010.
The match deteriorated into a physical tackling contest that resulted in 13 Dutch players earning yellow cards, including two and a sending off by Heitinga.
Van Merwijk felt the referee hadn't controlled the match well, and that his side wasn't the only to have committed fouls.
Dutch supporters heckled Webb and his assistants during the medal presentation ceremony. Webb had a hard job to do in a final that saw a record number of bookings, and several major incidents.
The Holland players earned 9 bookings and were lucky to still have 11 players on the field, in the first half, after de Jong planted his boot on Xabi Alonso's chest.
Holland were particularly upset when Webb refused to award them a corner after a sneijder free kick deflected out of play, off Fabregas. Holland defender Mathijsen earned a booking for protesting Iniesta's goal moments later, that sealed Holland's fate.
Arjen missed a couple of one-on-one chances that were foiled by Casillas in the Spanish goal. During the second of these, Puyol pulled Robben back outside the penalty area. Robben took issue with Webb for a free kick and a second yellow to Puyol. Webb awarded Robben a card for his trouble.
According to Dutch legend, Johann Cruyff, Webb was guilty of creating his own sense of justice and a personal application of rules.
In his 3 previous games of the World Cup, Webb awarded 17 yellow cards.
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Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger.
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