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Howard Webb Penalty Decision - Supported by UEFA - Condemned by Poland | Help spread the word: Share on Facebook 
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Football divides opinion on many levels. A late penalty decision effects the emotions of everyone including Prime Ministers! George Parker reports on the aftermath of Howard Webb's decision to award Austria a late penalty in their second group game against Poland.Following the controversy of Van Nistlerooy goal earlier in the week, the decision by English Referee Howard Webb to award co-host’s Austria a last minute penalty resulting in them drawing their second group game against Poland has caused outrage in Poland and official comments from UEFA defending the decision! Football divides opinion on many levels. Webb’s decision to award a late penalty against Mariusz Lewandowski for holding Austria’s Sebastian Prodl, has seen the Polish Manager, Leo Beenhakker, accuse him of trying to make a name for himself and grab the limelight and for the Polish Prime Minister to admit to feeling like he ‘wanted to kill’! UEFA have come quickly to the defense of Webb stating that in their opinion it is not controversial for a player to be pulled down by the shirt and as a result for the referee to award a penalty. Lewandowski’s holding and pulling appeared to take place in the direct vicinity and eye line of the English official and Webb appeared to have no hesitation in pointing to the spot. took place in th and Austria scored from the spot. Beenhakker’s emotional outburst could have repercussions if Uefa's disciplinary body may take action against him for these comments. He further claimed that the decision had effectively knocked Poland out of Euro 2008 as they approach their final game against Croatia with only a point. The Croatian’s however have qualified and may not field their strongest starting eleven. Webb is one of the youngest referees on duty at Euro 08 and this is his first major international championships. Due to England not appearing in the Finals, it had been suggested that he may have a good chance, based on his performances in Euro 08, to referee a high profile tie in the later stages of the competition. The decision regarding which referees stay at Euro 08 for the final stages of the competition will not be made until after the weekend. The referees' committee have still to decide if Webb will take charge of another game at the tournament.
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