Referee Howard Webb Admits He Got Manchester United Penalty Decision Wrong - Report The referee apparently regrets his controversial call on Saturday evening... 27 Apr 2009 15:15:57
Howard Webb's decision to award Manchester Uniteda penalty when Michael Carrick was deemed to have been felled in thebox while the Red Devils were 2-0 down has been cited as a contentiousissue, especially in Tottenham Hotspur quarters, and the referee is reportedly repentant over the decision.
Replaysof the incident showed that Spurs glovesman Heurelho Gomes took theball when challenging Carrick. The penalty, which was converted byCristiano Ronaldo, sparked a second half comeback that saw United stormto a 5-2 win.
Webb is reported to have spoken to former top flight referee Dermot Gallagher about the decision. Gallagher informed Sport,"I talked to Howard and he knows he made a mistake. He didn't think thegoalkeeper had got the ball. He thought that Carrick had touched theball sideways and then the goalkeeper brought him down.
"I don'tthink it was as easy a decision as people say it was, but it's clear toanyone that it was a mistake. But these things can happen to anyone andI think it's important we move on from it."
Regarding whether ornot Webb will be suspended from refereeing the FA Cup final, Gallaghersaid, "Of course he won't lose the FA Cup Final. It was one decision inhis career and you have to accept that people make mistakes."
Alan Dawson, Goal.com
