Wednesday’s briefing: Webb defends Liverpool call and Ronaldo plans farewell

Referees’ chief Howard Webb said the match officials’ decision to rule out Virgil van Dijk’s header during Liverpool’s defeat at Manchester City on Sunday was “not unreasonable”.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he has one or two years left in the game and says the 2026 World Cup finals will “definitely” be his last.

Alex Scott is hoping his rapid rise can take him from non-league to the World Cup in just seven years.

Webb defends Van Dijk offside decision

Referees’ chief Howard Webb said the decision to rule out Virgil van Dijk’s header during Liverpool’s defeat at Manchester City on Sunday was “not unreasonable”.

Liverpool contacted Webb, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited’s chief refereeing officer, on Monday to raise concerns about the interpretation of the offside rules.

Andy Robertson was clearly in an offside position when he ducked under the ball, but Liverpool argued he was not in goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s line of vision and afterwards head coach Arne Slot said it was “obvious and clear a wrong decision had been made”.

But while Webb said decisions on whether a player is interfering with play or not are “some of the most subjective decisions that we have to make”, he added on TNT Sports’ Match Officials Mic’d Up: “I know that’s not a view held by everybody, but I think it’s not unreasonable to understand why they would form that conclusion.

“The player is so close to the goalkeeper, the ball’s coming right towards him, he has to duck to get out of the way of the ball and (the match officials) form the conclusion that that impacts Donnarumma’s dive towards the ball to make that save.”

World Cup in 2026 to be Ronaldo’s last

Cristiano Ronaldo believes he has one or two years left in the game and says the 2026 World Cup finals will “definitely” be his last.

The 40-year-old Portugal international was asked about his future in an interview via video link at the TOURISE Riyadh event on Tuesday, having told Piers Morgan Uncensored last week he would retire “soon”.

He initially joked on Tuesday that “soon” meant “in 10 years” before adding: “When I mean soon… I’m really enjoying the moment right now. As you know in football, when you reach some age you count the months very quick.

“I feel very good in this moment, I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp, I’m enjoying my game in the national team and Al Nassr – but of course, let’s be honest, when I mean ‘soon’ it’s probably one, two years I’ll still be in the game.”

Asked if that meant the 2026 World Cup would be his last, he replied: “Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment, and in a big competition.”

Scott has eyes on the World Cup

Alex Scott is hoping his rapid rise can take him from non-league to the World Cup in just seven years.

The Bournemouth midfielder has been called up to the England squad for the first time for this week’s qualifiers against Serbia and Albania after impressing for the Under-21s.

When he was released by Southampton at the age of 12 he did not think he had a future in the game, but he now has a shot at forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans for next summer’s global showpiece.

“I’m over the moon, it is everything you dream for,” he said. “Six years ago I was playing non-league for Guernsey and I wasn’t even sure I was going to make it as a footballer.

“So to be now in the England team is a dream come true. To be honest, I don’t think it’s really sunk in too much yet.

“That’s the dream for everyone, especially the players here – to be in that World Cup squad.”

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