This film is made by pupils at Newman School, which is a special school for pupils with physical disabilities and medical conditions based in Rotherham. This film is an interview with Premier League and internationally renowned football referee, Howard Webb, who was the match official for the 2010 World Cup Final. Here he answers probing questions from a female student. The following is a non-verbatim transcript of the interview. Student: As the rules of the game change from time to time, is...

This film is made by pupils at Newman School, which is a special school for pupils with physical disabilities and medical conditions based in Rotherham. This film is an interview with Premier League and internationally renowned football referee, Howard Webb, who was the match official for the 2010 World Cup Final. Here he answers probing questions from a female student. The following is a non-verbatim transcript of the interview. Student: As the rules of the game change from time to time, is there any rules that you have been sad to see go? Howard Webb: I was disappointed with the removal of a rule that allowed referees to move the ball back if a player showed dissent. Student: Does TV coverage affect you in any way? Howard Webb: When I watch Match of the Day sometimes I'll see a mistake that I've made and think how could I have missed that, but it's tricky because editing can make a game seem completely different to what it actually was like. Student: Who referees the refs? Howard: Each town has its own Referee society. Student: Would you like to have a yellow and a red card when you're out on the beat? Howard: (now wearing a policeman's hat) I would like to have my utility belt out on the pitch (laughs), but in terms of the law, we use verbal warnings as a yellow card and arrests as the red card. Student: Do all referees need to be good footballers? Howard: Not necessarily. As long as you understand the rules of the game there's no reason why you can't make a good official, but sometimes playing the game can help improve that understanding. Student: Do you think modern technology could help improve referring games? Howard: Yes, definitely. I would welcome goal line technology with open arms. Student: Do footballers make good role models? Howard: In many cases, yes, in some cases, no. The press make primarily negative reports, so a lot of the positive stuff gets overlooked. You have to bear in mind that these players are young, and the fame and fortune can often be difficult to handle, but it's good to remind them that people look up to them and that they are role models. Student: Are referees abused? Howard: There is a lot of abuse out there for referees, but, with support from footballing associations and proper deterrents for offenders, hopefully we can turn that situation around. Student: What's it like being the fourth official. Howard: It can be difficult because you get abuse from coaches when the referee makes a decision which has nothing to do with you, but it can also be helpful to observe match officials at work, so you can improve on your own game. Student: What's it like to be famous? Howard: Fame and referees is funny one as they say the best referees are the silent ones, and generally it's the negative aspects of a game which get picked up by the media. I've started to get recognised a bit more lately, which is odd, but it comes with the territory. Student: Do you spend a lot of time doing paper work? Howard: Not as much as we use to do. We now telephone the yellow and red cards directly through to the press association, so there are no multiple reports to make on that. You have to do a match report though, which involves analysing other official's performances. Student: Is being a referee like being a policeman? Howard: (with bobby hat) there's no real conflict between the two. I think the two go hand in hand because sometimes the stuff you see on the field gets replicated outside the pubs and clubs on a Saturday night. There both about calming things down and making a good decision. Student: Thank you for your time Mr Webb. Howard Webb then sits wearing a police officer's hat and raises a red card to the camera which has the words, 'I'm off', written on it. Title - Newman school would like to thanks Howard Webb for his help making this film. The final shots show aggressive incidents from real football matches. Title - Newman school video. Title - Copyright Newman school 2008.