Howard Webb Invited To Referee Polish Cup Final

By: chris | March 18th, 2009

No hard feelings, right?

Howard Webb spent the tail end of last summer in a dark, damp cave trying to hide from much of Poland. After his controversial penalty call against Poland – though not nearly as controversial as Poland’s opening goal which was well offside (many seem to have conveniently forgotten) – you could hardly blame Howard for not wanting to step within 100 miles of a Polish border – and that may just be the case. But that hasn’t stopped the Polish FA from extending an olive branch by listing him as a potential referee for the Polish Cup final.

And by “olive branch” we, of course, mean “part olive branch, part free PR”, as nobody really cares about the Polish Cup. It’s the unloved sibling to an older brother which is marred by corruption, corruption and more corruption. Last year’s final only ushered 5,000 fans into the stands.

Which means it’s certainly not the flashing bulbs and overwhelming glamour of the event that will draw Mr. Webb. For that it would have to be the chance to put the past behind.

Remes insist they have merely submitted a list of possible referees of whom Webb, as a senior Fifa official is one, but they must have known the probable reaction. “It would show that the Cup had gained in importance in Poland,” said Bartosz Remplewicz, the head of Remes. “Which of us does not make mistakes? We all do. But time heals wounds and this is a good time for reconciliation.”

I’m not sure this will have the repercussions they’re hoping on a grand scale – not sure about the rest of you, but I for one will not be booking my airline ticket to the PC final at any point this evening – but it may remind some within the walls of the country, “hey, we do have a domestic Cup”.

But, should it get to that point, would Howard accept? Can he put it all behind him? Are the Transformers available to do security that weekend?

Poland seem pretty ready to move on – maybe they’ve had ample chances to review a tape of their goal from an offside position and decided, “oh, our bad” – but moving on from a (correct) penalty call isn’t quite the same as having thousands of people threaten your life.

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nick

i love to heare what it was marcin wasilewski did to concede a penalty
Tomek

He'll probably not answer any of our comments. Chris is too scared to give a proper explanation about this filth.
b

obviously you know nothing about Polish football.
the penalty is a matter of opinion dumbass.
Matthew

Chris, why all the hate towards the Polish? You always seem to take a jab at the Polish people every time they are mentioned. I don't know why, but it bothers me. Polish people have always been nice to me and treated me like I was part of their family. I can't say anything bad about them. They probably have the most enthusiastic fans in the world. So taking a shot at their fans is unwarranted. This coming from a guy born in England and now living in Canada. Cheers, lads.
marco

well done guys on your great comments and tomek you could have not put it better.
Tomek

Why are you so ignorant?
McTalian

The FA is out of their collective mind.
Mi

oh, and as a reminder - I don't recall anyone inviting you to the game, so we'll live without you coming, I think it will still go under way.

Webb would supposedly be a magnet and not because of "no hard feelings" policy for sure. That's just the difference on opinions as to when a penalty decision is correct...
Mi

Thanks Peter, you sure told him! Not well enough, but at least you did.

Chris - cut the pathetic crap about things you have no idea about (which would have to stop you from posting, eh?). I mean the Polish Cup which may be a competition of irregular popularity (euphemism), but having 5000 attendance in a final venue of... 5000 isn't all that bad. And why was the venue only a 5k-seater which was by the way under reconstruction at that time, you may ask? Well, if you get an answer from the FA/PZPN, please let us all know. So far appeals seem to have worked (or Remes, the sponsor, has) and this year the match will be held at the 47000 Stadion Slaski. So buzz off!

You've done enough by doing another of your no-insight-pure-stereotype post. Just wondering why the heck didn't you squeeze in some crap about how terrorized by hooligans we all are, that would make a typical Poland story complete. You have another hater starting now, surely not first, nor last.
Peter

The first goal was clearly offside.

However this penalty call is ridiculous. If this was called against any team that one roots for one would immediatly feel the same way and you are lying to yourself if you believe otherwise.

Just because a bad call preceded this call does not validate the call in any way. You are not exactly saying that but by simply mentioning the goal in your piece the implication is made.