Tabarez scoffs at Webb of deceit claims

THE coaches of Uruguay and Ghana last night brushed aside conspiracy theories claiming English referee Howard Webb was replaced as the man in charge of today’s World Cup quarter-final because of the controversy over Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal.

A Uruguayan referee team led by Jorge Larrionda was in charge of the England v Germany match when Lampard’s shot clearly crossed the line but no goal was given.

FIFA announced that Portugal official Olegario Benquerenca will take charge of the Uruguay v Ghana quarter-final and insisted there was no question – as has been rumoured – that Webb, who has not been given a last-eight match, had originally been earmarked for the match.