JOHANNESBURG — World Cup final referee Howard Webb is getting a much better ending to his second big tournament than to his first.
Today, the shaven-headed former policeman will stride out in front of the Netherlands and Spain teams at Soccer City after being given his profession’s most prestigious assignment.
Two years ago, the English official was sent home early from the European Championship for a missed offside call in a group-stage match. That match between host Austria and Poland also is remembered for a stoppage-time penalty kick that earned him death threats from Polish fans.
Webb’s ordeal was captured by a film crew with authorized behind-the-scenes access to make the documentary “Kill The Referee.”
Klose no closer to mark.
Miroslav Klose’s aching back prevented him from playing in the third-place playoff against Uruguay, keeping him one goal shy of Brazilian forward Ronaldo’s World Cup record of 15.
The German scored five goals in each of his previous two World Cups.
TV rating up.
After 62 of the tournament’s 64 games, ESPN/ABC networks have averaged a 1.9 U.S. rating, up 36 percent from 1.4 through the same point in 2006. The average household audience is up 41 percent from 1.575 million to 2.227 million and the viewer audience is up 45 percent to nearly 3 million.
