Spot-on Webb's final hopes boosted as UEFA insist: He did everything by book

The Premier League official made his mark in his opening game of the tournament at the Ernst Happel Stadium after Poland defender Mariusz Lewandowski wrestled with Sebastian Prodl two minutes into stoppage time.

Ivica Vastic blasted home the penalty to earn the hosts a 1-1 draw - and earn scathing criticism from Poland manager Leo Beenhakker who insisted Webb's decision was inconsistent with what had happened before.

Disbelief: Polish players hold their heads as Howard Webb awards THAT last-gasp penalty

UEFA President Michel Platini had called on referees to punish all shirt-pulling and jostling ahead of the tournament - especially in the penalty area - but all officials has been turning a blind eye until Webb took his tough action.

Austria claimed they should have had a penalty for the same offence in their opening game - a 1-0 defeat to Croatia - won ironically with an early  spot-kick from Luka Modric.

Good call ref: Austria's Christian Fuchs thanks Howard Webb for awarding his side a penalty

Beenhakker revealed that each country was given a DVD telling them grappling would be targeted but Poland were the first in Euro 2008 to concede a penalty in
that way.

And UEFA chiefs were united in their defence of Webb today, director of communications William Gaillard insisting: "We don't think it is controversial that a player is pulled down by the shirt and a penalty is given. "It (Webb's decision) was certainly within the laws of the game."

Beenhakker accused Webb of trying to prove he was a "big boy" following the 1-1 draw in Vienna, although Austria also had reason to be unhappy with the English officials as Poland's goal appeared to be offside.

UEFA's disciplinary body will judge whether Beenhakker faces action for his comments, while the referees' committee will decide if Webb and assistants
Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey will take charge of another game at the
tournament.

Given that England are not at the tournament, it was seen as an opportunity for
Webb's team to stay at the tournament until the latter stages.

Gaillard added: "The referees' committee analyses all the games and makes the
appointments according to its own analyses and we don't interfere with the way
they are managing officials in this tournament.

"For sure there is a better chance to referee the final matches as his national team is not there but that is a statistical chance.

"I wouldn't speculate about the decisions of our referees' committee."