The Eyes have it for Howard

Article Created by Stuart James, The Guardian

Pierluigi Collina, who took charge of the 2002 World Cup final and is widely recognised as one of the greatest ever referees, has advised Howard Webb to approach Sunday's showpiece between Holland and Spain "in a normal way" despite the immense pressure of the occasion.

Webb will become the first official to oversee both the Champions League final and the World Cup final in the same season when he takes to the field in Johannesburg alongside his assistants, Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey. He is also the first Englishman to referee a World Cup final since 1974, when Jack Taylor awarded a penalty inside the opening minute of Germany's 2-1 victory over Holland.

Having been impressed with his calm and controlled display in the Champions League final in Madrid, Collina said he has no doubt that Webb is equipped to "handle any kind of match". The Italian acknowledges that the stakes could not be higher on Sunday, and warns Webb that he risks tarnishing everything he has achieved in his career if he makes a major mistake, although he fully expects the 38-year-old Yorkshireman to excel.

"The pressure in the World Cup final is very high but if you are there it is because you are very good, no other reason," said Collina, who retired from refereeing in 2005. "But, on the other hand, you know that if something happens wrong, everything you did in the past probably doesn't matter. It vanishes. It's all about those 90 minutes. But I am sure that will not be the case. I wish him an outstanding day."

Collina, who has recently left his position as the head of Italian officials to take up a similar role with Uefa, has long admired Webb and was among those who put his name forward for the Champions League final. "He had a very good match so I would say our decision was good. And I'm very confident that Fifa's decision to appoint him will be positive as well, because Howard is a very good referee and has all the qualities for such an important game.

"I've seen him many times in action, including the Champions League final, and I could guess the behaviour on the pitch would be accepted by both teams. He shows he is always in control of the game and very calm. His feeling with the players is very good. It's very important for the referee to create a good relationship with his players and it's very important for a referee to be accepted even when he's wrong. If you are reliable and trusted by players, they can accept it even when you are wrong. And this is something that seems to happen with Howard."

Collina sent Webb a congratulatory text yesterday evening, when news of his appointment was announced, and smiled when he heard back. "He replied to me at 1.40am the following morning. I replied saying that the World Cup final referee should sleep at this time. He told me he didn't feel sleepy but that he was sure he would sleep the night after."

Asked what final words of advice he would have for Webb, Collina replied: "Be prepared – getting all the information possible about the teams – be self-confident and approach the match as a normal match, or at least in a normal way. Don't change anything because it is the World Cup final."