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I am not a cockney red or spurs fan, I just can't get it how a dodgy penalty changed the game. My belief is that the spurs team rolled over into defeat because of the penalty.

- Joe, Swanley Kent, 30/04/2009 12:57
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OK, all of the disgruntled Spurs fans have had their gripe.
Note to the whingers...
a) None of them were standing where the Ref was when the decision was made - how do they know what he did or did not see? He admits to an error - after seeing it from a different perspective (that's a subtle hint for the terminal whimperers). Note that the linesman didn't contradict his decision (another hint).
b) Man U didn't look like winning? What statistics are you guys looking at. They had most possession of the ball, most shots on goal, most corners.

Come on people. Your side got rolled over by a better team on the day. Man up and live with it!

- Rogan, Irving, 29/04/2009 22:38
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howard webb bottled it from the 46th minute onwards....

- That Guy, london, 29/04/2009 17:15
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coulda shoulda woulda, it is all water under the bridge now. Can't blame a poor penatly award on making europe, most of the season has been another shambles at WHL. After 50+ years as a fan every year I go through the same old stuff, Maybe next year the boys will make me proud yet again. As for Howard Webb he will get the wrath of the fans in due time, will he care? doubt it. Will he get a talking too by the FA, probably not, this stuff just sells papers and give sports casters something to talk about and fans something to maon about. Stroll on 2010, maybe next season will be our return to greatness COYS.

- Coloneyjohn, Vancouver Canada, 29/04/2009 17:11
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Not the end of the world,after all its only a few blokes kicking a round ball around,no one got hurt.

- David, london, 29/04/2009 14:17
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As a referee Howard, that was so obvious Gomes touched, the ball..He didn't even book him, shows..
You can't say it after the game has gone...If you weren't sure or 100%, then don't give it.

- Adrian, london, 29/04/2009 13:47
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I am as blind as a bat and sat toward the back of the East Stand where the penalty was awarded. Even I could tell Gomez got the first touch on the ball. maybe Mr Webb should have been in the stands instead of at 'pitch level' In fact why bother having officials on the pitch -let them sit in a control room monitoring the game on different screens.

- Paul, Birmingham, England, 29/04/2009 13:37
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As a Spurs fan im totally gutted Webb gave Man Utd a route back into a game that they never looked like winning.
That said if we dont qualify for the Europa League then we only have ourselves to blame because of our dire start to the season and our failure to kill off poor teams before the referee's had any influence on the game......Blackburn away also springs to mind!
If Webb though really is the best in this country then our standards of referee's are really poor and like so many others im sick and tired of offical's to frightened to make brave decisions at Old Trafford in case the feel the wrath of Fergie's fury.
Pathetic methinks!

- Steve, Medway,England, 29/04/2009 13:22
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Full marks to Webb for FINALLY admitting to a gross refereeing error - now it has to be a lengthy stint on Hackney Marshes for this guy, if they'll have him (plus a retro booking for diver Carrick).

- Ted, London, 29/04/2009 13:15
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Totally agree with them having favorites unfortantly for spurs alex furgurson s also a favorite and that ref has ref 6 of there games i bet we could find at least 5 other dodgy decisions in them six games going in man utd favour time for a change in da fa and someone to crack down on dodgy on goins in 5the fa a specially when it comes to alex and certain refs

- Mike, iow, 29/04/2009 12:44
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Yes, Thanks Howard for possibly costing us a european place, possibly ending doubts about United slipping up in the title race, if Spurs went on and won that could have changed the whole season for United as confinence was already low at 2-0, handed them the title!!!!

- Adam, Crewe, 29/04/2009 12:36
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this bloke is meant too be our top ref...GOD Help the others then,when he says its difficult at pitch level to make decisions is he being serious,He`s the ref for gods sake thats is your job,if you cant do it properly like you have shown in the last few weeks in big games the nclear off anf find something else to do..these guys are meant to be pros yet they are more in the spotlight than the players...a good ref should be unseen not hogging the limelight...i bet spurs feel well chuffed now he has said he made a mistake...muppet

- Phil, Herts, 29/04/2009 11:49
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I agree with Carl about technology but would this mean an end to the continual pressure upon refs and the bias that visiting teams experience at OT? Prob not. I'm afraid it is down to the F.A. to deal with it (as if they have the competence to do that ha ha ha....)

- Coys Switz, switzerland, 29/04/2009 11:11
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Doesn't actually apologise though does he! Thi is the sam man that accused Messi of diving the the CL aginst Bayern and got that horribly wrong too! Two big profile errors in a couple of weeks and he gets the Cup final... just proves the FA have their favourites when it comes to refs too then.

- Sincs, Southend, 29/04/2009 11:06
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Fair enough Howard Webb made a mistake, everybody does and good of him to come out and admit that. The issue here is not about referee competence but getting crucial decisions correct.
Football needs to come out of the dark ages and start to use the technologies that are working well in other sports, in this case, a video referee. Most indecision would then be taken out of the equation, but the technology should only be used for crucial decisions, ie poor tackles, diving, potential penalties, goal decisions. Within a minute of the contentious issue the ref refers to an independent referee who makes a clear decision, bringing a fairer outcome to a game.
In this case the ref could have asked the question, 'should I award a penalty for contact with the goal-keeper, yes or no'.

- Carl, London, 29/04/2009 10:24
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If this muppet is one of our top referees its extremely worrying. Time for a demotion for him & Mike Riley, who is truly awful. However, once United brought on Tevez it was only a matter of time before the goals went in & poor Ledley was made to lokk very pedestrian.

- Rob Hotspurs, South London, 29/04/2009 10:20
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This is Wednesday and Webb makes his admission, after he has been appointed to referree the Cup Final.
Jermaine Jenas will still get the rap for his honest comments after the game though, so that the men in suits are kept smug.
Remember the Pedro Mendes goal at Old Trafford.
Spurs should just give United a bye for every away game. It would save this charade that's played out each season.

- Kevin, London UK, 29/04/2009 10:10
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What a courageous man. Well, He could not deny it but the damage has been done. I felt sorry for Spurs even though I am not a fan. Perhaps the ref should be penalised. That may have cost Spurs a place in Europe- too costly!

- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK, 29/04/2009 10:07
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