Howard Webb Will Officiate Bayern Munich Vs. Real Madrid; Madridistas Look On In Horror

Remember that? Remember how Nigel De Jong Bruce Lee kicked Xabi Alonso in the chest in the final of the World Cup, then didn't get so much as a yellow card for it (I'm being told that he did receive a yellow card, though somehow that doesn't dampen my shock and terror)? Well, the same man who allowed Holland to beat the living hell out of Spain in that match will referee Real Madrid's semifinal clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Howard Webb, a British referee who was widely thought of as the world's best referee in 2010, was chosen to officiate the UEFA Champions League semifinal in Munich between Bayern and Real Madrid. Let that phrase sink in. As a fanof the Spanish national team, I still have nightmares about Howard Webb that include slasher-like shots of Nigel De Jong flying from rooftops just to crash, boots-first, into my chest.

Watching that World Cup final was like watching the heart-extraction scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom--Nigel De Jong might as well have been screaming "KALIMA KALIMAAAA" and pointing at Xabi Alonso's heart. I can't say I'm thrilled to have to endure another match with Howard Webb as referee, especially against a side that will probably use quite a bit of force to try to subdue Cristiano Ronaldo and company.