Howard Webb to referee Russia's Euro 2012 opener

Moscow - English referee Howard Webb has been entrusted with Russia’s opening game of Euro 2012 against the Czech Republic Friday, UEFA said Wednesday.

Webb will lead an all-English team of officials for the match, partnered by assistant referees Michael Mullarkey and Peter Kirkup. Two more English assistants, Martin Atkinson and Mark Clattenburg, will be kept in reserve.

With the refereeing teams announced for the opening two days of fixtures, Webb misses out on the chance to renew his acquaintance with the Dutch national side, who received nine yellow cards when Webb oversaw their World Cup final defeat to Spain, a record for the fixture.

Instead of Webb, an all-Slovenian refereeing team headed by Damir Sklomina have been picked for the Netherlands’ game against Denmark Saturday.

Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo receives the honour of the opening match between Poland and Greece Friday, while Stephane Lannoy of France will take charge of Germany’s game against Portugal a day later.

As well as the 2010 World Cup final, Webb, 42, also oversaw the Champions League final that year, as Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2-0.

Webb, who serves as a police officer when he is not refereeing games, has officiated one Russia game in the past, a 1-1 draw away at Azerbaijan.

–IANS/RIA Novosti

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