Blatter: ‘Webb had a tough task’

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted Howard Webb had a "very tough task" to referee the World Cup final.

Holland have been widely condemned for their strong-arm tactics against the Spanish, and Blatter recognises that the players made things difficult for the English official.

Webb brandished 13 yellow cards during Spain's 1-0 extra-time victory, and also sent of Holland defender John Heitinga for a second bookable offence.

His display was blasted by the Dutch, who accused the Rotherham whistler of "robbing them of the World Cup", but Blatter has moved quickly to defend the official.

He said: "It was a very hard task that the referee trio had on the field of play. It was really not easy and they were not helped in this task.