Howard Webb confronted by angry Dutch players
Webb brandished 15 yellow cards, including two for Holland’s John Heitinga which led to his dismissal – setting a record for a final.
Van Marwijk suggested that Webb might have been influenced by Spanish media blaming him for Spain’s opening game defeat to Switzerland.
The Holland coach said: “I don’t think the referee controlled the match well. But let me be clear about this: the best team won the match.
“I’m trying to analyse the match as best as possible. But I read a few things today about how angry Spain were at the refereeing in the first match against Switzerland. If you view the performance (of the referee) today, you’d almost think now that that first match had an influence on this game now.”
Van Marwijk admitted that some fouls had been “terrible” but said both sides were responsible.
He added: “It’s not our style. Let me put it this way, it’s not our style to commit horrible fouls. It’s not our kind of football.
“It was a World Cup final and people were tense. Look at the rest of the tournament. I think both sides, also the Spaniards, committed terrible fouls.
“I’m on the bench and I haven’t seen any replays. I’d have to see the replays. The way I saw it from the bench was very different.”
Holland midfielder Mark van Bommel insists that Howard Webb ‘affected’ the outcome of the final.
“Everyone can see that he clearly affected the final,” Van Bommel fumed.
“I am not happy with second place, while it equals our best ever World Cup performance, it means nothing. We have nothing.
“I think this team deserve more, I will carry this defeat for rest of my life.”
Van Bommel’s midfield partner Nigel De Jong, who was fortunate to remain on the pitch after a chest high lunge at Xabi Alonso, echoed his teammate’s criticism of Webb.
“The referee had a big say,” De Jong said.
“Mistakes are part of every referee in football, but tonight it was very unfortunate for us.”
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