Meet The Ref – Blackburn Rovers

David Webb will be the man in the middle for the Swans league opener at Blackburn on Saturday afternoon as the Championship season starts again with the Swans under the stewardship of Russell Martin.

Martin took charge of the Swans twice last season – the 0-0 draw against Reading at the Liberty and the 2-1 win at Stoke in March where of course he awarded the Swans a hotly disputed last minute penalty.  The penalty of course bought stinging criticism from Michael O’Neill who said after the game “It wasn’t a penalty – it’s a ridiculous decision. I’ve seen in three times and there’s no contact; I think the player makes contact with himself, actually. There’s a clear foul on James Chester where Andre Ayew runs into him and throws himself to the ground, the ball drops and then the piece of play leading to the alleged penalty is given. It’s a really poor decision.

“It was really disappointing as I think we did more than enough to take something from the game. We certainly didn’t deserve to lose. Games shouldn’t be decided by things like that and it’s cost us. I think it’s very harsh on us.”

After taking up the whistle aged 20, David Webb became an EFL Referee in 2008 following various spells in the Northern League and the National League.

David has taken charge of over 300 matches in professional football, and joined the Select Group 2 list last season.

Webb represented PGMOL at the Dallas Cup in 2009 and as part of the exchange programme to Australia in 2018, and also refereed the League Two Play-Off Final between Coventry City and Exeter City in 2018.

Ironically, Webb was the recipient over criticism from Steve Cooper in 2019/20 as well after his failure to award a penalty for the Swans “Not only is it an absolutely stonewall penalty, but George gets a booking.

“With him being a midfield player he can quite easily pick up yellow cards and get a suspension down the line when he shouldn’t, so I’m disappointed to be fair.”

Webb will be assisted by Matthew McGrath and Geoffrey Liddle whilst Ross Joyce is the fourth official.