Howard's way

Pressure is an over-used word in sport, but there will be few people under as much focus, and attention, when the father-of-three leads the Spanish and Dutch teams out at Soccer City, Johannesburg, tomorrow for the world's most watched football match. Refereeing can be a thankless task, with only the mistakes remembered.

Yet this should not detract from Mr Webb's achievement in becoming recognised as the best referee in the world. His growing

accomplishments are even more remarkable considering that he can't even take control of the couple's children when at home, according to his proud wife Kay.

However, Mr Webb has, apparently, always been destined for tomorrow's great stage. When the young Howard was taken to a game, his uncle, a referee, remarked: "I can see summat in this young lad." So it has been proved. We wish him well and hope that the final is played in a spirit that does not resort to Mr Webb having to brandish yellow or red cards.