by Anton Johan
No, this story wasn't published two weeks too late. Leading Irish online sportsbook
Paddy Power is offering odds that England will make it to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, just in the form of FIFA referee,
Howard Webb.
While Fabio Cappelo's band of overpaid misfits contemplate their dismal performance, at least English football fans can find some solace in the fact that one of their countrymen could make it onto the pitch in the final on Sunday, July 11.
According to Paddy Power, Howard Webb is the odds-on favourite to be chosen by FIFA to oversee the prestigious game as, unlike other FIFA referees during this World Cup campaign, he has avoided making any horrendous decisions.
But Webb's refereeing skills will not only be judged on his conduct in the World Cup in South Africa, but in many other big games where he's been praised for his fair and honest decisions, including this year's Champions League final.
Even so, his conduct in the World Cup has been exemplary, which has increased his odds at Paddy Power from 28/1 to 7/4. If called upon, Webb will be the first Englishman since Jack Taylor in 1974 to officiate a World Cup final.
Said Paddy Power spokesperson, 'Unless he drops a clanger of Graham Poll or Jorge Larrionda proportions, Webb's performances at the 2010 World Cup have made him the front-runner for the ultimate refereeing honour on July 11.'
Here are Paddy Power's referee odds for the 2010 World Cup Final in South Africa:
7/4 - Howard Webb, England
11/4 - Massimo Busacca, Switzerland
11/2 - Frank De Bleekere, Belgium
9/1 - Wolfgang Stark, Germany
9/1 - Benito Archundia, Mexico
12/1 - Ravshan Irmatov, Uzbekistan
14/1 - Viktor Kassai, Hungary
22/1 - Hector Baldassi, Argentina
40/1 - Alberto Mallenco, Spain
40/1 - Yuichi Nishimura, Japan
40/1 - Oscar Ruiz, Colombia
150/1 - Jorge Larrionda, Uruguay
150/1 - Roberto Rosetti, Italy
